Hezbollah lebanon

"The ambassador will not leave Lebanon, in accordance with the wishes of the speaker of parliament Nabih Berri and of Hezbollah," AFP reported, citing an anonymous source.

A source told the independent Lebanon-based Murr Television station that no soldiers had taken refuge in the church, but that it had been the reason given for attacking the Christian institute.

France’s role in Lebanon could determine whether Hezbollah is contained or strengthened.

The current campaign in southern Lebanon is designed to neutralize the most immediate threats – cross-border infiltration and anti-tank missile fire – while containing long-range Hezbollah fire.

At a meeting with the military chief of staff, Katz said Israeli forces would "control the remaining bridges and the security zone up to the Litani," a river that meets the Mediterranean.

The decision comes after a week of meetings between Lebanese officials and other leaders from the region, many of whom have been on the receiving end of Iranian attacks.

Jonathan Alkhouri described the increase in public criticism of the terror group as a phenomenon he calls “cracks in the fear mechanism.”

According to Aoun, the attack "falls within suspicious schemes to establish a buffer zone," as he also warned of "the reality of occupation, and pursue Israeli expansion within Lebanese territories."

Hezbollah seems to have chosen to aim for a prolonged conflict with Israel, rather than a quick escalation, as the Operation Roaring Lion enters its second week.

Previous reporting indicated that Israel was discussing the option of striking civilian infrastructure targets in Lebanon, but a decision had not been made.