PM Netanyahu’s advisor to Arab media: ‘Previous red lines with Hezbollah no longer exist’

The head of Iranian Ayatollah Khamenei’s office was reported to have also declared that the response to the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh “is coming soon.”

MAARIV ONLINE

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 03:51

Rescuers gather next to a destroyed building, after an Israeli strike where a top Hezbollah military commander was targeted, Lebanese authorities said, in Beirut, Lebanon, September 20, 2024. (photo credit: Reuters TV/AL MANAR TV via REUTERS)

The Saudi Al-Hadath channel reported on Friday evening that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s advisor spoke with fellow Saudi media outlet Al-Arabiya and said: “Israel has escalated the confrontation with Hezbollah. If Hezbollah does not cease its attacks, we will expand our targets,” following the assassination of Hezbollah official Ibrahim Aqil earlier in the day.

Netanyahu’s advisor was also attributed with saying: “The previous red lines no longer exist.”

A diplomatic source told the Al-Hadath channel that: “Aqil’s assassination is a political and military message (from Israel) that any escalation by Hezbollah will be met with further escalation in the Dahieh neighborhood.” The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that the death toll from the IDF strike has risen to 14 and is expected to increase further.

It was also reported that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant: “We are increasingly concerned about the escalation between Israel and Lebanon and fear miscalculations.” However, it was also reported that Austin stated: “We affirm the firm, permanent, and unwavering commitment of the United States to Israel’s security.” Meanwhile, it was reported that the Pentagon announced USS aircraft Harry S. Truman would head to the eastern Mediterranean next Monday.

Global reactions

In terms of global reactions to Friday’s events, it was reported that the head of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s office announced that the response to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh “will come soon.” According to reports, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry claimed that “the Zionist entity rejects the ceasefire and seeks to escalate tensions and broaden the conflict.”

People watch Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah delivering a televised address, as they sit at a cafe in Beirut, Lebanon September 19, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED AZAKIR) People watch Lebanon’s Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah delivering a televised address, as they sit at a cafe in Beirut, Lebanon September 19, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED AZAKIR)
In addition, it was reported that French President Emmanuel Macron told Netanyahu that he has a responsibility to prevent escalation on the northern front, to which the Israeli leader replied: “Instead of putting pressure on us, pressure should be applied to Hezbollah.”