Attacked By Israel, Lebanese Government Announces State In A War Situation

Black smoke rose from a house that exploded in Khiam Village, South Lebanon after receiving an Israeli troop air strike on June 21, 2024. (The Times of Israel/Rabih Daher/AFP)

JAKARTA - Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Saturday said his country was in a state of war due to threats and attacks from Israel.

"The threat we face is like a psychological war. Everyone's question is 'is it war?' Yes, we are in a state of war. As a result of the Israeli attack, there were many deaths from civilian and non-civil parties and destroyed villages," Mikati said in a statement on Saturday.

On June 18, Israel's Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it had approved an operational plan for an attack in Lebanon. Israel's Foreign Minister Katz later said Israel "a little more" decided to "change the rules" against Hezbollah and Lebanon, threatening to destroy the movement "in an all-out war" and the "hard storm" of Lebanon.

Hezbollah's Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah said the movement could attack northern Israel if confrontation escalated.

The situation on the Israeli-Lebanon border deteriorated after the start of an Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip in October 2023.

IDF and Hezbollah troops exchange fire in areas along the border every day.

Lebanese Foreign Ministry said about 100,000 people should leave their homes in border areas, while the Israeli Foreign Ministry said as many as 80,000 citizens should do the same.