Malaysia condemns Israel ground operation in Lebanon

Malaysia, on Tuesday, “unequivocally” condemned the “Zionist” Israeli regime as it launched ground operations in Lebanon, Anadolu Agency reports.

“The Zionist Israel regime’s actions clearly violate security, stability as well as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon, contravening the United Nations Charter and international law,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Israeli army said, early Tuesday, that it had launched “limited and targeted” ground operations in southern Lebanon.

Despite the Israeli army announcement, there has been no sign of an Israeli ground invasion into the Lebanese territory.

Hezbollah also denied Israeli claims that Tel Aviv had sent its ground forces into Lebanese territory.

Kuala Lumpur said it stands in solidarity with Lebanon, joining the “overwhelming call” by the international community for an urgent ceasefire to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe in Lebanon.

“It is vital for all parties to not exacerbate the already tense situation in the region,” it added.

The Malaysian embassy in Beirut, which will operate until further notice, is taking steps to evacuate Malaysian nationals from Lebanon.

Since 23 September, Israel has launched massive air strikes against what it calls Hezbollah targets across Lebanon, killing more than 960 people and injuring over 2,770 others, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Several Hezbollah leaders have been killed in the assault, including the group’s Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah.

Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in cross-border warfare since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza, which has killed nearly 41,600 people, most of them women and children, following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group, Hamas, last October.

The international community has warned that Israeli attacks in Lebanon could escalate the Gaza conflict into a wider regional war.

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