By Deutsche Welle
Jun 25, 2024, 18:34 PM EDT
The United States said it is desperately seeking a diplomatic agreement to restore calm on the Lebanon-Israel border, adding that a war there would have catastrophic effects.
“We are urgently seeking a diplomatic agreement that will restore lasting calm on Israel’s northern border and allow civilians to safely return to their homes on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border,” said the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, to his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant.
Yoav Gallant’s visit to Washington
Both met at the Pentagon on the second day of Gallant’s visit to Washington, where the day before he spoke with the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and with the director of the CIA, Bill Burns.
Before boarding the plane, Gallant assured that the country is “prepared for any required action in Gaza, Lebanon, and additional areas.”
“The transition to ‘Phase C’ in Gaza is of great importance,” added Gallant, referring to the last step for Israel in the face of the war in the Strip, focused on creating a new security regime there that also safeguards the Israeli population.
Another conflict between Israel and the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah, according to Austin, “could easily turn into a regional war with dire consequences for the Middle East, so diplomacy is by far the best way to prevent further escalation.”
The Israeli Army, together with Hezbollah, has been involved in an escalation of violence on the border with Lebanon that has raised fears of an open war in recent weeks, after the conflict in Gaza triggered a daily exchange of fire on the dividing line on October 7. between both countries.
“Concerned about increase in attacks”
Lloyd Austin said he was “extremely concerned about the increase in attacks” by pro-Iran militia and the rise in tensions.
“Hezbollah’s rocket attacks mean more suffering for the more than 60,000 Israelis now displaced from their homes and for tens of thousands of displaced Lebanese. Their provocations threaten to drag the Israeli and Lebanese people into a war they do not want,” he warned.
The US Secretary of Defense stressed that his country will always support Israel in its right to self-defense, adding that this includes ensuring that Iran, “which is the source of much of the violence and instability in the region, can never obtain a weapon.” nuclear”.
Cope with all scenarios
Yoav Gallant stressed that although “they are working together to reach an agreement, we must also talk about preparation to face all possible scenarios.”
This is the second time Gallant has gone to the Pentagon since the Hamas attack against Israel on October 7.
The Israeli minister arrived in the United States, days after the clash between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Washington, describing it as “inconceivable” that the North American country had withheld the shipment of certain weapons and ammunition to Israel.
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