Israel warns Hezbollah: threat of "total war" raises fears in the Middle East

Amidst growing tensions in the region, the Israeli Foreign Minister has issued a direct threat to the Hezbollah group in Lebanon, warning of a potential "total war." This escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has been triggered by almost daily exchanges of fire along the border, in a scenario marked by the ongoing war between Israel and the Islamist movement Hamas in Gaza. The Israeli minister has pointed out that Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah has threatened to attack the ports of Haifa, important commercial infrastructures operated by Chinese and Indian international companies. Through a video that has been circulated, Hezbollah has identified possible military, energy, and civilian targets in Israel, intensifying concerns in the region. These threats have coincided with the visit to Beirut of a special envoy from US President Joe Biden, Amos Hochstein, who is seeking to reduce tension at the border. Given the gravity of the situation, Hochstein has called for a quick and diplomatic solution to avoid a large-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah, emphasizing the importance of restoring calm in the region. Hezbollah has increased its attacks on military sites in northern Israel following the death of one of its commanders in an Israeli airstrike. In the midst of this tense scenario, a plan has been proposed that includes a six-week ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from densely populated areas in Gaza, and the release of hostages as measures to reduce tension. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has expressed the need to stop Israeli aggression against Lebanon and restore calm in the southern border. The war between Israel and Hamas has resulted in devastating casualties, with a high number of civilian and combatant victims on both sides, exacerbating the situation in the region. In Lebanon, more than 470 people have lost their lives as a result of cross-border attacks, including fighters and civilians. The call for calm and a diplomatic solution by international actors such as the United States underscores the urgency of finding a peaceful way out of this conflict that threatens to trigger a new escalation of violence in the Middle East. Stability and security in the region are at stake, and it is crucial that concrete measures be taken to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe of greater proportions.