Beirut, March 17 (SANA) Five Western countries warned on Monday, in a joint statement, that any large-scale Israeli ground offensive in southern Lebanon would have far-reaching humanitarian consequences and could lead to a prolonged conflict.
According to Reuters, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom said in a joint statement that “any large-scale Israeli ground assault would have devastating humanitarian consequences and could lead to a prolonged conflict,” in remarks issued in the statement.
The five nations expressed deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Lebanon, including ongoing mass displacement of civilians.
The warning came as the Israeli escalation in Lebanon entered a more dangerous phase earlier on Monday, following a ground advance by Israeli forces into southern Lebanon through several axes.
The latest developments follow two weeks of Israeli airstrikes that have killed 886 people and injured more than 2,000, according to official Lebanese figures
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