ANKARA: Turkey has denounced Israel’s ground operation in Lebanon as an “illegal invasion attempt” and called for the withdrawal of its forces.
In a statement, Turkey’s foreign ministry said that this assault must end immediately and Israeli troops must withdraw from Lebanese territory.
The Israeli army said its forces were locked in fierce clashes in Lebanon following launching a ground operation Tuesday, escalating the conflict following a week of air attacks that killed hundreds.
The ground offensive came as Israel targeted south Beirut, Gaza and Damascus despite global calls for restraint to avoid a regional conflagration.
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Turkey’s foreign ministry said that Israel’s violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of this country by launching a ground offensive on Lebanon is illegal invasion attempt. It warned that is likely to trigger a new wave of immigrants. Ankara urged the UNSC to “comply with global law and take the essential steps.
Earlier, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has warned Tehran of ‘Serious Consequences’ if it attacked Israel. According to AFP, the Pentagon chief also offered support to Israeli Minister for Defense Yoav Gallant for “dismantling attack infrastructure” along the border with Lebanon as Israel launched ground attacks on Hezbollah.
