Israel has warned that it is prepared for a full ground invasion of Lebanon if needed - after the deadliest day of clashes between the two countries in nearly two decades.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the IDF, told a televised news conference late Monday that while Israel is 'not looking for wars' it would do 'whatever is necessary' to ensure its security after months of violent exchanges with Hezbollah, based out of southern Lebanon.
Asked if this could spell a full-scale war with Lebanon, he said: 'Is the army prepared? Yes. The army is in full readiness, and we will do whatever is necessary to bring back home all our citizens to the northern border safely.'
International onlookers accused Israel of 'dragging the entire region into chaos' after it pounded Lebanon with air strikes through the day, killing at least 492 people, including 35 children, according to the Lebanese government.
Egypt urged the United Nations to intervene - as the peace body's chief said he was 'gravely alarmed' by the civilian casualties.
Turkey joined Egypt in calling on Israel to halt its northern offensive as thousands of people were displaced from the suburbs in a desperate push to reach the capital - before Beirut too fell under Israeli fire.
Harrowing video showed salvoes of IDF missiles hitting villages in the south, near the border with Israel in the deadliest day since the 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah war. But as residents fled north, traffic caught in gridlock near Sidon was hit by a 'strike' landing 'about 200 metres' from Sky News reporters.
FULL ARTICLE AT: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13883307/middle-east-lebanon-region-chaos-beirut-israel.html
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