Israel-Hamas War: What happened on day 351?

Israel's representative to the United Nations, Danny Danon, said on Friday that if Hezbollah doesn't retreat from the Israel-Lebanon border back toward the north of the Litani river through diplomatic efforts, "Israel will use any means to defend their citizens."

Danon said that Israel does not seek a wider conflict but that Hezbollah is violating international law and will not allow the Lebanon-based terror organization's attacks to continue.

Danon also added that Israel "will do whatever it takes to return Israelis to their homes in the north."

The Palestinian terrorist group Hamas mourned on Saturday Hezbollah's top commander, Ibrahim Aqil, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Lebanese capital Beirut on Friday, describing it as a "crime" and "folly" that Israel will pay the price for.

The Saudi Al-Hadath channel reported on Friday evening that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's advisor spoke with fellow Saudi media outlet Al-Arabiya and said: "Israel has escalated the confrontation with Hezbollah. If Hezbollah does not cease its attacks, we will expand our targets," following the assassination of Hezbollah official Ibrahim Aqil earlier in the day.

Netanyahu's advisor was also attributed with saying: "The previous red lines no longer exist."

A diplomatic source told the Al-Hadath channel that: "Aqil's assassination is a political and military message (from Israel) that any escalation by Hezbollah will be met with further escalation in the Dahieh neighborhood." The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that the death toll from the IDF strike has risen to 14 and is expected to increase further.

It was also reported that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant: "We are increasingly concerned about the escalation between Israel and Lebanon and fear miscalculations." However, it was also reported that Austin stated: "We affirm the firm, permanent, and unwavering commitment of the United States to Israel's security." Meanwhile, it was reported that the Pentagon announced USS aircraft Harry S. Truman would head to the eastern Mediterranean next Monday.

Global reactions

In terms of global reactions to Friday's events, it was reported that the head of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s office announced that the response to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh "will come soon." According to reports, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry claimed that "the Zionist entity rejects the ceasefire and seeks to escalate tensions and broaden the conflict."

People watch Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah delivering a televised address, as they sit at a cafe in Beirut, Lebanon September 19, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED AZAKIR)

In addition, it was reported that French President Emmanuel Macron told Netanyahu that he has a responsibility to prevent escalation on the northern front, to which the Israeli leader replied: "Instead of putting pressure on us, pressure should be applied to Hezbollah."

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid also attacked Netanyahu following the dramatic events in Lebanon, writing: "Netanyahu, what are the goals? It's been 11 months of neglect in the South and the North. And the most important act of all – bringing the 101 hostages home. What about that? Only after operational successes do you run to the media. You are responsible for the greatest disaster in the country's history, and this is your legacy."

White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby said on Saturday that he was not aware of any Israeli notice to the United States before the assassination of Ibrahim Akil in Beirut.

Kirby added that Americans have been urged not to travel to Lebanon or leave if they are there.

"War is not inevitable," Kirby said. "We will continue to do everything we can to try to prevent it."