The United States is urgently working in the direction of a diplomatic settlement that may permit Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return to their houses on either side of the border, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin mentioned on Tuesday.
Shelling on Israel’s northern border has led to the evacuation of tens of hundreds of individuals from areas on either side of the frontier, and has escalated in latest weeks, resulting in fears of an all-out Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
“Hezbollah’s provocations threaten to drag the Israeli and Lebanese people into a war that they do not want. Such a war would be a catastrophe for Lebanon and it would be devastating for innocent Israeli and Lebanese civilians,” Austin mentioned at the beginning of his assembly with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on the Pentagon.
“Diplomacy is by far the best way to prevent more escalation. So we’re urgently seeking a diplomatic agreement that restores lasting calm to Israel’s northern border and enables civilians to return safely to their homes on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border,” he added.
Israel’s nationwide safety adviser Tzachi Hanegbi has mentioned that it’ll spend the approaching weeks making an attempt to resolve the battle with Lebanon’s Iran-backed, closely armed Hezbollah group and would like a diplomatic resolution.
Hanegbi mentioned Israel had been discussing with U.S. officers the likelihood that an anticipated finish of intense
Israeli navy operations in Gaza would permit an “arrangement” to be reached with Hezbollah.
At the Pentagon, Gallant mentioned that he would focus on navy readiness with Austin. “We are working closely together to achieve an agreement, but we must also discuss readiness on every possible scenario,” Gallant mentioned.
Source: www.anews.com.tr