Israel may commit ‘new genocide’ in Lebanon with Iran as pretext, Turkey warns

Turkey expressed deep concern on Saturday over Israel’s ongoing strikes on Lebanon, voicing fears it could commit “a new genocide” under the guise of fighting Iran-backed Hezbollah.

“We are frankly concerned [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu is moving toward a new genocide under the pretext of fighting Hezbollah,” Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told a news conference.

“The international community must act as soon as possible in the face of the crimes that Israel continues to commit.”

Lebanon was dragged into the Middle East war last week when Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during the US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Since then, Lebanon’s health ministry says Israeli strikes have killed 826 people – among them 65 women and 106 children – and wounded another 2,009.

UN chief Antonio Guterres said Saturday on a visit to Beirut that diplomatic channels remained open to end the war between Israel and Hezbollah and urged the international community to support Lebanon.