The Middle East Crisis Israel-Hezbollah

New Hezbollah leader: "We are ready for a long war"

Hezbollah's new leader Naim Qassem will take over the "war plan" of his predecessor Hassan Nasrallah. This is what Qassem says in his first speech as the new leader of the Iranian-backed Lebanese militia, writes TT.

According to Qassem, Hezbollah has the capacity to continue fighting for months.

- We have the experience and the resources needed. We are ready for a long war, he says.

Israel bombs Baalbek - concern for the city's world heritage

Israel has begun to attack the city of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon, writes Reuters and refers to security sources. The attacks come after Israel earlier today issued an evacuation order for the entire historically important city.

According to AFP, several locations in the Baalbek area have been bombed. In the area there are, among other things, the Roman temple ruins that are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

- We fear that the temples in Baalbek and the city's other world heritage can be attacked, says municipal chairman Moustafa el-Chall to Sky News Arabia, according to TT.

TT reports on clogged roads out of the city as residents tried to flee in panic.

 
200 buildings destroyed in remotely triggered explosions

More than 1⁠ 000 buildings in six Lebanese communities on the border with Israel have been damaged or completely destroyed in Israel's war against Hezbollah, according to a New York Times analysis based on satellite images and footage.

The newspaper writes that the analysis only gives a small picture of the total destruction. At least 200 buildings have been destroyed in controlled blasts, where explosives were detonated remotely.

A spokesman for Israel's military would not comment on the destruction at the sites but said Israel is striking military targets to prevent the terror-labeled Shia militia Hezbollah from posing a threat to Israeli citizens.