Ali Raif Fatuni, a member of Hezbollah, was killed in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon amid escalating tensions on the border.
Who is Ali Raif Fatuni?
Tensions on the Israeli-Lebanese border rose on Monday after a Hezbollah operative, Ali Raif Fatuni, was killed by Israeli shelling in southern Lebanon. This incident comes as Israel’s battle with Palestinian terrorists has spilled over into Lebanon, prompting fears of further escalation in the region.
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According to two individuals close to the Iran-backed organisation, Fatuni was killed during Israeli shelling of a Hezbollah observation post. The incident, sparked by a cross-border incursion blamed on the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, is expected to trigger a response from Hezbollah, a major force in the region.
While Hezbollah initially denied any involvement in the cross-border incident, the Israeli military said that its soldiers, aided by helicopters, had killed at least two gunmen who had invaded Israeli territory from Lebanon. As tensions rose, military helicopters continued to attack the area.
Residents of southern Lebanon were caught in the crossfire, with many fleeing their homes along the border as a result of the severe shelling, which largely targeted the fringes of cities and villages. As people fled the border area, important routes became congested, and schools in the area remained closed on Tuesday.
The new incidents are a concerning escalation in a series of confrontations near the Lebanon-Israel border. Despite minor conflicts over the years, both sides have worked to avoid a major battle since their disastrous month-long war in 2006.
Major General Lazaro, head of the U.N.’s peacekeeping mission, is actively engaging with all parties involved, urging them to exercise restraint. Lebanon’s army verified the firing in border areas and warned residents to be cautious.
As tensions rise, individuals like Gabi Hage, who lives near the border, have felt compelled to flee. “Our house is really close to the border, so we’re leaving and going down to the village. All my neighbors are doing the same,” he stated.
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In the midst of these growing tensions, the French consulate in Lebanon has recommended its nationals to postpone any travel to southern Lebanon, and Britain has expressed fear that the situation could spiral out of hand. The incident has prompted severe concerns about the region’s fragile stability and the possibility of fresh war.
