The Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed that Israel’s launching of a ground attack on Lebanon is a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, considering what is happening as an illegitimate attempt to occupy it.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry stressed in a statement on Tuesday that this attack must end as soon as possible, and that Israeli soldiers must withdraw from Lebanese territory. according to Hurriyetdaily, “Israel’s violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon by launching a ground attack is an illegal invasion attempt. This attack must come to an end immediately, and Israeli troops must withdraw from Lebanese territory,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a written statement on Oct. 1.
The statement said that the attack does not only target the countries of the region but also targets the security and stability of non-regional countries.
He pointed out that “this dangerous attempt at occupation is very likely to lead to a new wave of immigration and give extremists ground all over the world.”
The statement continued: “It should not be forgotten that these developments will also affect the countries that provide political support and weapons to Israel.”
He added that the UN Security Council must abide by international law and take the necessary measures against this attack aimed at occupying Lebanon.
The statement also stressed that every crime committed by Israel represents a “blow to international law and the United Nations Charter.”
He pointed out that the main step that must be taken to establish calm in the region is “an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.”
The Turkish Foreign Ministry stressed that establishing peace in the Gaza Strip is the responsibility of all humanity.
On Monday evening, the Israeli army announced the establishment of a closed military zone in three settlements on the border with Lebanon: Metula, Misgav Am, and Kfar Giladi, amid reports of its preparations to carry out a ground invasion into Lebanese territory.
Although the Israeli army announced last night the start of a ground military operation in southern Lebanon, no Israeli forces have been detected invading Lebanese territory so far.
Since September 23, Israel has launched the “most violent and extensive” attack on Lebanon since the beginning of the confrontations with Hezbollah about a year ago, which resulted, until Tuesday morning, in no less than 1,073 deaths, including children and women, and 2,955 wounded, according to Anadolu Agency’s monitoring of Lebanese authorities’ statements.
While Lebanese and Palestinian factions in Lebanon, most notably Hezbollah, have been exchanging daily shelling with the Israeli army across the “Blue Line” separating them since October 8, 2023, which has resulted in a total of no less than 1,912 deaths, including children and women, and 8,954 wounded, according to Anadolu Agency’s monitoring of official statements.
These factions are demanding an end to the war that Israel has been waging with American support on the Gaza Strip since October 7, which has left about 138,000 Palestinians dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 10,000 missing, amid massive destruction and a deadly famine, in one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world.
