Kgomotso Modise27 September 2024 | 7:01

Israel airstrikes on Lebanon a 'fully-fledged war against the whole country', says official

The country launched waves of deadly airstrikes on Lebanon since Monday killing at least 650 people.

Israel airstrikes on Lebanon a 'fully-fledged war against the whole country', says official

Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli air strike in the Lebanese village of Jibal el Botm, near the Lebanon-Israel border, on 23 September 2024. Picture: Kawnat HAJU/AFP

JOHANNESBURG - Lebanon’s ambassador to South Africa Kabalan Franeigh says the type of air strikes by Israel do not show that it is targeting armed group Hezbollah but Lebanon as a nation.

The country launched waves of deadly airstrikes on Lebanon since Monday killing at least 650 people.

Israel has rejected calls by its ally the US for a ceasefire plan.

Franeigh says they are worried about the escalations.

"For us, Israel is targeting Lebanon it’s a fully-fledged war against the whole country they are targeting more than half or 60% of the territories of Lebanon. Some villages are completely destroyed, families annihilated. It's looking the same as Gaza."