Israeli Army Prepared to Enter Lebanese Territory; US and France Propose Ceasefire Plan

As Israel continues its attacks on Lebanon for the third consecutive day and Hezbollah launches its first missile at Tel Aviv, efforts to find a diplomatic solution and prevent a large-scale war between the parties have intensified. On the other hand, the likelihood of a ground invasion by the Israeli army into Lebanese territory has increased. Israel announced on Wednesday, October 4, that it intercepted a missile that was fired at Tel Aviv after the alarm sounded. The Chief of Staff of the Israeli army stated that the military is preparing for a potential operation in Lebanon. Herzi Halevi announced to Israeli soldiers in the north of the country that the latest airstrikes on Lebanon were designed to 'prepare the ground for your possible entry to continue reducing Hezbollah's capabilities.' Referring to Hezbollah's missile launch at Tel Aviv, he said, 'Today, Hezbollah expanded its fire range and received a strong response shortly after. Get ready.' The Israeli army stated that the missile launched by Hezbollah was the first to reach the Tel Aviv area, and Nadav Shoshani, a spokesperson for the Israeli army, said that the country views this action as an attempt by Hezbollah to escalate tensions further. Previously, Hezbollah claimed in a statement that at 6:30 AM on the same day, it targeted the Mossad headquarters in the suburbs of Tel Aviv with a 'Qader 1' ballistic missile. This Iran-backed group, recognized as a terrorist organization by the US, claims that this missile attack was pre-planned. The spokesperson for the US National Security Council described Hezbollah's missile attack on Tel Aviv as 'deeply concerning.' John Kirby stated in an interview with CNN that this is further evidence that 'Israel faces a real threat from an Iran-backed terrorist group.' He also emphasized that no country should face 'such threats right across its border.' The Israeli army announced on Wednesday that after the alarm sounded in Tel Aviv, it intercepted a missile that had been fired from Lebanon. According to the army spokesperson, 'Following the alarms in the areas of Tel Aviv and Netanya, a ground-to-ground missile was identified and intercepted while passing through Lebanon.' Continuous exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah have caused people near the border to leave their homes since the onset of the Gaza war. Meanwhile, thousands of Lebanese have been displaced over the past three days due to severe Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah positions and targets in southern and eastern Lebanon. On the other hand, Axios and Reuters reported separately on US diplomatic efforts to contain the situation. Axios, citing two US officials, an Israeli, and two informed sources, reported that the Biden administration is working on a new diplomatic initiative to create a 'pause' in the Lebanon war for ceasefire negotiations regarding Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages held by the extremist group Hamas. The US and the European Union recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization. The report adds that the new US initiative is likely to be announced early Wednesday local time, aiming to stop the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Axios adds that the new initiative follows a phone call on Monday between Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor, and Ron Dermer, Israel's Minister of Strategic Affairs, and that the US has been negotiating with France, Israel, Lebanon, and several Arab countries on this matter over the past two days. An American official told Axios that the United States is negotiating with several countries to propose a diplomatic ceasefire solution, and an Israeli official confirmed that Netanyahu has given the green light to this US initiative. One source also stated that if Hamas sees Hezbollah giving an opportunity for a diplomatic solution, it could encourage Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader, to move towards an agreement. Reuters also reported, citing six Western and Lebanese sources and one individual close to Hezbollah, that Washington has taken the lead in a new diplomatic effort to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. According to the report, the US and France are working on a ceasefire proposal that has not yet been finalized. Reuters cites Lebanese sources saying that this new deal could ultimately lead to the release of Hamas-held hostages. The President of Cyprus also confirmed shortly after that France and the US are working to shape a temporary ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah. Nabih Berri, the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, stated on Wednesday that the next 24 hours will be 'vital' for diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation of tensions. Najib Mikati, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, arrived in New York on Tuesday night to attend the UN General Assembly, and Benjamin Netanyahu, his Israeli counterpart, is expected to arrive in New York on Thursday. Biden: 'We will do everything we can to avoid the spread of war.' Biden: 'The regional situation can still change.' US President Joe Biden stated that a full-scale war in the Middle East is likely, but achieving a ceasefire agreement in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and Israel's conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon is possible. On Wednesday, October 4, in an interview with ABC News, he said, 'A full-scale war is likely, but I believe there is still a possibility, and we can reach an agreement that fundamentally changes the situation in the region.' Biden, who has recently traveled to New York for the UN General Assembly, has been trying in various ways to contain the nearly year-long war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which is now at risk of expanding into Lebanon. In another part of the interview with ABC, Biden said, 'I do not agree with his (Netanyahu's) position. A two-state solution is essential and must be implemented.' Biden noted that after establishing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah, focus can shift to the situation and future of the West Bank. He added, 'This (two-state solution) is possible, and I will put all my energy into achieving it. There is a strong desire for change.' Over 50 killed on the third day of Israeli attacks. Continuing the attacks between the parties, the official Lebanese National News Agency reported that Israeli fighters attacked several towns in southern Lebanon from the early hours of Wednesday, adding that casualties were reported in nighttime attacks on these areas as well. On Wednesday evening, the Israeli army announced that it had attacked 280 Hezbollah-related targets that day. The Lebanese Ministry of Health stated that at least 51 people were killed and 223 injured due to Israeli attacks on Wednesday. Hezbollah commander killed in Israeli attack; US warns of 'full-scale war.' On the other hand, Axios reported that Amos Hochstein, Biden's special envoy, was 'angry' about the simultaneous explosion of Hezbollah members' pagers last week because he was in Israel a day before this event, and Israeli officials did not inform him about it. He had also warned the Israeli Prime Minister about the negative consequences of war in Lebanon. An American official told Axios that the Israelis completely ignored Hochstein's positions on the need to refrain from escalating tensions in Lebanon. However, Israel has not officially confirmed its role regarding the simultaneous explosion of pagers and then radios and other communication devices of Hezbollah. According to Axios, US officials say that the current goal of the US government is to prevent an Israeli ground assault on Lebanon and deter Iran from intervening in this conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Britain announced that it is deploying 700 soldiers to Cyprus to assist its citizens in leaving Lebanon. This action follows an increase in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, has called for a ceasefire and de-escalation and stated that he will travel to the UN to negotiate to prevent further deterioration of the situation. The UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting today regarding this escalating crisis in New York. 90,000 people displaced in Lebanon. Tens of thousands have left their homes since the latest round of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah began on Monday, with some crossing the border into Syria to escape Israeli bombardment. The International Organization for Migration reported that over 90,000 people in Lebanon have been displaced from their homes in the past week due to Israeli attacks. According to Lebanon, Israeli attacks on Monday left at least 558 dead, marking the deadliest day of violence in the country since the civil war of 1975-1990. Axios: Hezbollah asks Iran to attack Israel. Firas Al-Abiad, Lebanon's Minister of Health, stated that 'if not all,' then the vast majority of the dead were 'unarmed civilians in their homes.' While Hezbollah claimed responsibility for 18 attacks on Israel on Tuesday, the Israeli army stated that the Iran-backed group fired about 300 rockets across the border into Israel. Hezbollah also confirmed Israel's claim regarding the death of Ibrahim Qabisi, a key figure in Hezbollah's missile unit, in an attack on the Lebanese capital. Early Wednesday, a Lebanese security source said that Israel's new attack on the Saadiyat area near Beirut targeted a 'warehouse.' At the UN General Assembly in New York, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the situation in Lebanon is critical and that the country is becoming another 'Gaza.' US President Biden also warned in his speech at the New York gathering of the likelihood of a full-scale war in Lebanon. The Lebanese Foreign Minister, who was also present at the UN General Assembly, stated that since Israel has intensified its military campaign, 'the number of displaced Lebanese has increased to nearly 500,000.' However, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, has vowed to continue his air operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. He said, 'We will continue to strike Hezbollah... Anyone who has a missile in their living room and in their home will not have a home.' Iran, Hezbollah's main supporter, condemned these attacks, and its President, Masoud Pezeshkian, stated that its ally 'cannot stand alone' against Israel. Following the explosion of pagers and communication devices used by Hezbollah, which resulted in at least 37 deaths and nearly 3,000 injuries on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, tensions between this group and Israel have reached one of their highest levels. Using reports from the French, German, and Reuters news agencies.