From the Liveblog of
Monday, September 16, 2024
Visiting DC, Lapid urges Sullivan to pull out all the stops to prevent Hezbollah war, free hostages
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Speaking with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Washington, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid calls for making every effort to prevent war in the north and to bring home the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
“There are about 60,000 citizens in Israel who have not lived in their homes in the north for almost a year. Hezbollah is destroying a region that had flourished and prospered. It serves Iran and destroys Lebanon and the lives of its citizens,” Lapid says, according to a readout of their conversation released by his spokesman.
“We have given a great deal of time for diplomatic activity, and we are close to the danger of a severe war that will threaten large parts of Israel. Anyone who is able to prevent it must invest every effort in doing so,” he continues.
Turning to the hostages, Lapid argues that “the time for the hostages in the Hamas tunnels is running out. Every hour that passes brings them closer to their deaths. We must bring about a hostage deal.”
