The U.S. claimed that it was not knowledgeable upfront about Israel’s newest strike on Lebanon’s capital Beirut, which brought about immense destruction within the metropolis late Friday.
“The United States was not involved in this operation, and we had no advanced warning,” Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh instructed the reporters.
Her remarks got here after the Israeli military on Friday night carried out a heavy and unprecedented airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburb space, claiming to have attacked the primary headquarters of the Lebanese group Hezbollah.
Singh mentioned that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke together with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant “as the operation was already underway.”
The U.S. is “still assessing” the occasion, Singh mentioned, including she doesn’t have any further info or any additional specifics to supply.
Meanwhile, a White House official mentioned President Joe Biden was briefed on the strikes in Beirut by his nationwide safety staff.
When requested whether or not Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah is alive, she mentioned: “I don’t have any information on the strike itself. We’re still gathering information, as this just happened a few hours ago.”
Austin urges for a diplomatic resolution, which “is the best path forward,” she mentioned, reiterating that the U.S. desires to see tensions quell within the area.
Singh additionally mentioned that there’s “no force posture changes to announce at this time.”
Israel has pounded Lebanon since Monday morning, killing over 700 folks and injuring almost 2,200 others, in keeping with figures launched by the Lebanese Health Ministry.
The ministry additionally mentioned that the demise toll in Lebanon since final October is 1,540, along with greater than 77,000 displaced from southern and jap components of the nation.
Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in cross-border warfare because the begin of Israel’s battle on Gaza, which has killed greater than 41,500 folks, principally girls and youngsters, following a cross-border assault by Hamas final Oct. 7.
The worldwide group has warned towards the strikes on Lebanon, as they increase the specter of turning the Gaza battle right into a regional battle.
Source: www.dailysabah.com