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Fears were growing on Monday that the war between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas could be set to spiral, amid reports that other Islamist groups may be planning to join the fighting.
The spokesperson for Israel Defense Forces appeared to suggest other actors were becoming involved in comments on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday. A Google translation of Daniel Hagari’s words reads: “A report was received about the infiltration of several suspects into Israeli territory from Lebanese territory. IDF forces are deployed in the area.”
On Sunday, just a day after Hamas launched its surprise attack against Israel, news agency Reuters reported that Lebanon’s Hezbollah—which the U.S. considers a terrorist organization—said it had targeted Israeli military positions in the Shebaa Farms area on Sunday, saying it was acting “in solidarity” with the Palestinian people.
Francesca Volpi/Getty Images
Shebaa Farms is an Israeli-held strip of land along the Lebanese border, which Islamist group Hezbollah claims is part of Lebanon’s territory. The IDF responded by shooting artillery into Lebanon. There were no reports of casualties on either side.
Hashem Safi al-Din, the head of Hezbollah’s Executive Council, suggested on Sunday that the group could become involved in the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas.
“The responsibility obliges all the sons of our nation not to be neutral and we are not neutral,” he said at a pro-Palestinian rally in Beirut, according to Lebanese news site Naharnet.
Social media commentators reported that gunfire had been heard at the Lebanon border on Monday, sparking fears that Hezbollah was becoming involved in the fighting. Hezbollah was previously involved in a five-week war with Israel back in 2006.
Journalist Oz Katerji, a member of the Foreign Press Association, posted on X: “Looks like Hezbollah may be deciding to enter the conflict. Let’s wait for confirmation before jumping to conclusions, but this could get very bad, very quickly.”
Looks like Hezbollah may be deciding to enter the conflict. Let’s wait for confirmation before jumping to conclusions, but this could get very bad, very quickly. https://t.co/wwpT7vh4bZ
— Oz Katerji (@OzKaterji) October 9, 2023
Newsweek has not been able to independently verify the claims, but is attempting to seek clarification from all sides.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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