United States Calls on Israel to Avoid Escalation in Gaza-Lebanon Conflict
On Monday, June 24th, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israel, during a meeting with its Minister of Defense, to avoid further escalation in Lebanon while discussing efforts to reach an agreement on the release of hostages held in Gaza.
Anthony Blinken “emphasized the importance of avoiding further escalation of the conflict and achieving a diplomatic solution that allows Israeli and Lebanese families to return home,” said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller in a statement summarizing the meeting with Yoav Gallant, who was visiting Washington. “Diplomatic efforts to ensure security”
The war between Israel and Hamas has led to a military escalation on the northern border of Israel with Lebanon, raising concerns about an extension of the conflict.
Exchanges of fire between the Israeli army and the Lebanese Hezbollah, a powerful Islamist movement allied with Hamas, armed and funded by Iran, have resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands of inhabitants from border areas in southern Lebanon and northern Israel.
The US Secretary of State also “insisted” on the need for Israel to do more to deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip and discussed “diplomatic efforts to ensure security, governance, and reconstruction in Gaza” once the conflict is over, according to the statement.
In remarks made before his meetings, the Israeli Minister of Defense committed to doing everything possible for the return of Gaza hostages and called for close cooperation with the United States following tensions in recent weeks.
Yoav Gallant met with CIA chief Bill Burns, the top American official leading negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas.
“I would like to emphasize that Israel’s primary commitment is to return the hostages, without exception, to their families and homes,” said Yoav Gallant. “We will continue to make every possible effort to bring them back home,” he added.