Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
23 February 2024 | 16:23 CAT

Lebanon’s southern border has witnessed intense fighting since October 8, when Hezbollah opened a second front against Israel to divert its forces from their onslaught on the Gaza Strip.

On February 19, Israel staged airstrikes against two warehouses in Ghaziyeh, just south of Sidon and some 50 kilometres (31 miles) north of the border.

Foreign policy analyst, journalist, and political consultant Adnan Nasser told Radio Islam International the inter-bombing of Sidon could be attributed to the recent attack on the Northern Israeli City of Tiberias. However, Hezbollah has officially denied carrying out the attack.

“With fighting still raging on at the border, there is no exact estimation of civilian Lebanon casualties,” says Nasser.

According to Nasser, at least over 150 Hezbollah fighters have been killed since Hezbollah’s involvement on October 8.

Speaking on the position of the Israeli war on Gaza in Lebanon, Nasser says, “The vast majority of Labanese regardless of religious background believe this is an assault on humanity. The Israeli have gone too far this time with almost 30 000 Palestinian people slaughtered and Israel’s planning on incircle Rafah, the final so-called safe haven for Palestinians is not tolerated by most Lebanese who simply won’t be into the idea that Israel is attacking in self-defence.”

Meanwhile, Nasser pointed out that the Lebanese could not take on another crisis at this time due to going through one of the worst economic crises in its modern history.

“Lebanon is not able to withstand a full-on war, there is still bickering among parliamentarians to even assemble at the Parliament to elect a new leader,” added Nasser.

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie.