Danon says Israel open to ideas to de-escalate in Lebanon

Israel is open to ideas for de-escalating the conflict in Lebanon, Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon says, a day after the United States said it was exploring some “concrete ideas” with allies and partners.

“As we speak there are important forces trying to come up with ideas and we are open-minded for that,” he told reporters. “We are not eager to start any ground invasion anywhere… We prefer a diplomatic solution.”

On Monday, a senior State Department official said the US was discussing with allies and partners some “concrete ideas” to find an off-ramp that will prevent further escalation in the fighting and reduce tensions.

Danon said Israel was taking the ideas seriously.

“We still think it’s not too late for the Lebanese government, for the Lebanese people, to put pressure on Hezbollah to stop their aggression. If they will not fire rockets into Israel, then we will be able to bring back our residents, back to their communities, that’s it,” he said.

Asked by reporters what they were actively discussing at present, Danon said: “I cannot get into that.”