In remarks at the start of his meeting with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin expresses concern about “the rise in rocket attacks” on northern Israel by Lebanon’s Hezbollah and “the recent surge in tensions.”
Austin says the continued Hezbollah attacks “mean more suffering” for displaced Israelis and Lebanese, warning the Iran-backed terror group’s “provocations threaten to drag the Israeli and Lebanese people into a war that they do not.”
“Such a war would be a catastrophe for Lebanon and would be devastating for innocent Israeli and Lebanese civilians,” he adds.
Austin expresses concern that a war between Israel and Hezbollah could engulf the region, advocating diplomacy as “the best way to avoid escalation.”
“So we are 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,” says Austin.
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From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
