标签： Asia

BEIRUT – Israeli military forces conducted a new wave of airstrikes in central Beirut on Thursday, specifically targeting locations allegedly associated with Hezbollah operations. The bombardment represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group.

The Israeli military issued pre-strike warnings urging residents to evacuate specific buildings in the Bachoura and Zkak al-Blat districts. One of the targeted structures housed a branch of Al-Qard Al-Hassan, an institution Israel identifies as Hezbollah’s financial apparatus for weapons procurement and fighter compensation.

The precision strikes triggered widespread panic among residents, including numerous families who had previously fled from other conflict zones and sought refuge in central Beirut. The attacks have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Lebanon.

According to Lebanon’s Public Health Ministry, the death toll from Israeli operations has reached 687 since March 2, with 1,774 individuals sustaining injuries. The ministry further reported that 18 paramedics have been killed and 45 others wounded in the ongoing hostilities.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam addressed the deteriorating situation, pledging government efforts to halt the conflict and facilitate the safe return of displaced citizens. “We will work around the clock to stop this war and enable you to return to your homes as soon as possible, to a safe and dignified return,” Salam stated in a public address.

The current escalation began on March 2 when Hezbollah launched rockets toward Israel, breaking a ceasefire that had been in effect since November 27, 2024. Israel responded with what it described as an “offensive military campaign” involving extensive airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, southern and eastern Lebanon regions, and ground incursions along the border areas.

In a significant development at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Iceland and the Netherlands formally submitted declarations to intervene in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel on Thursday. This brings the total number of nations seeking participation in these landmark proceedings to eighteen.

The two European countries filed their interventions under Article 63 of the ICJ statute, a provision enabling state parties to a convention under legal scrutiny to present their interpretive perspectives on the treaty in question. The case centers on allegations that Israel’s military operations in Gaza since October 2023 violate the 1948 Genocide Convention.

This legal action originated when South Africa initiated proceedings in December 2023, accusing Israel of genocidal acts through its Gaza campaign that has resulted in over 70,000 Palestinian casualties, predominantly women and children. South Africa’s submission contends that Israel’s military operations constitute genocide through systematic killing, infliction of severe physical and psychological harm, and the creation of conditions designed to physically destroy the Palestinian population—charges that Israel vehemently denies.

The interventions coincide with Israel’s scheduled submission of its counter-memorial on Thursday, presenting its legal arguments responding to South Africa’s allegations after the court granted several deadline extensions. Judicial authorities have yet to confirm the filing’s receipt.

The growing coalition of intervening states now includes Colombia, Libya, Mexico, Palestine, Spain, Turkey, Chile, the Maldives, Bolivia, Ireland, Cuba, Belize, Brazil, the Comoros, Belgium, and Paraguay. Palestine and Belize have additionally sought intervention under Article 62, which permits state participation when a nation believes its legal interests might be affected by the court’s determination.

In their legal submissions, Iceland emphasized that the Genocide Convention must be interpreted to support its fundamental objective of preventing and punishing genocide. The Nordic nation argued that genocidal intent can be inferred from behavioral patterns rather than requiring direct evidence, noting that deprivation of essential resources like food, shelter, and medical care could constitute conditions intended to destroy protected groups, with particular vulnerability accorded to children.

The Netherlands similarly advocated for the consideration of conduct patterns and circumstantial evidence in establishing genocidal intent, suggesting that forced displacement and obstruction of humanitarian assistance might constitute Convention violations depending on contextual circumstances.

Both nations clarified that their interventions addressed strictly matters of treaty interpretation rather than factual allegations specific to the case. These proceedings have attracted unprecedented international attention, becoming one of the most closely monitored cases in ICJ history with an extraordinary number of third-state interventions.

The World Court has previously issued binding provisional measures requiring Israel to implement preventive measures against potential Genocide Convention violations and facilitate humanitarian access to Gaza, though it stopped short of mandating a ceasefire. Israel stands accused of repeatedly disregarding these judicial orders.

Legal experts project that a definitive ruling on whether Israel breached the Genocide Convention might not materialize until 2028, indicating a protracted legal battle ahead at The Hague.

The Middle East crisis has intensified dramatically with no resolution in sight, as global powers remain deeply divided on conflict resolution approaches. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has issued a forceful appeal for an immediate ceasefire during diplomatic communications with Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty, emphasizing that prolonged hostilities would inflict severe humanitarian suffering and economic devastation across the region.

Wang, representing China’s position as a responsible global actor, stressed that Beijing and Cairo share common ground in advocating peaceful dialogue over military confrontation. The Chinese diplomat confirmed China’s commitment to maintaining coordination with regional nations to facilitate constructive peacemaking efforts.

The Egyptian leadership expressed appreciation for China’s balanced diplomatic stance while confirming Cairo’s readiness to collaborate closely in de-escalation initiatives. This diplomatic exchange occurs against a backdrop of escalating violence that has claimed approximately 2,000 lives since joint US-Israeli strikes targeted Iranian interests nearly two weeks ago.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has established explicit conditions for conflict termination, demanding international recognition of Iran’s legitimate rights, substantial reparations, and ironclad security guarantees against future aggression. Conversely, US President Donald Trump has declared military victory and promised to complete operational objectives.

The economic ramifications have reached critical levels, with Iran effectively closing the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz—a maritime passage handling twenty percent of global oil shipments. This blockade has triggered unprecedented market disruptions, driving crude prices above $100 per barrel despite the International Energy Agency’s historic release of 400 million barrels from emergency reserves.

Regional security has deteriorated further with Iran threatening strikes against American and Israeli economic assets, including banking institutions and technology corporations, prompting multinational companies to evacuate personnel from the crisis zone.

A British military installation in Erbil, northern Iraq, was successfully targeted by Iranian drone assaults on Wednesday night, resulting in injuries to several American personnel stationed at the base. This incident represents the third successful offensive against British forces in the ongoing regional conflict that commenced nearly two weeks ago.

According to defense officials, British air-defense units successfully intercepted and destroyed two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), but multiple one-way attack drones penetrated defensive systems and struck the air base. The attack caused minor injuries to an undetermined number of US troops stationed at the facility.

Brigadier Guy Foden, assistant chief of staff for operations at Permanent Joint Headquarters, confirmed the coordinated nature of the assault: “Erbil and Baghdad were both struck a number of times last night with increasing coordination. Our personnel in Erbil shot down two UAVs coming at the camp, but a number did impact on the camp.”

This latest attack follows previous incidents targeting British interests in the region. On March 1, the same Erbil base was hit, with British personnel located within 400 meters of the impact site. The following day, a drone struck RAF Akrotiri, the UK’s air base in Cyprus, though Cypriot authorities reported no casualties and “minimal damage.”

The escalating situation has sparked political controversy in Britain. Jeremy Corbyn, British MP and leader of Your Party, criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s approach: “Keir Starmer has dragged Britain into yet another illegal war. In doing so, he has jeopardised the safety of us all. The government must end its complicity in this illegal war and rescind permission for the foreign use of British bases.”

Tensions are further complicated by the United States’ utilization of British military installations. Numerous US B-1 Lancer bombers have recently operated from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire to conduct strikes against Iranian missile sites. Three such bombers returned to the base on Thursday following a mission.

Prime Minister Starmer has thus far resisted calls from opposition politicians for direct RAF participation in strikes against Iran, while simultaneously refusing to condemn US-Israeli military actions. Diplomatic relations with the United States have been strained due to Britain’s initial refusal to permit US utilization of the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia for launching strikes against Iran.

Starmer’s Sunday phone conversation with US President Donald Trump addressed “the latest situation in the Middle East and military cooperation between the UK and US through the use of RAF bases in support of the collective self-defence of partners in the region,” according to Downing Street. The discussion occurred despite Trump’s previous criticisms of Starmer, whom he characterized as “unhelpful” and “no Winston Churchill,” while accusing the British leader of seeking to “join wars after we’ve already won.”

This remains a developing situation with potential implications for regional stability and international relations.