Amid escalating tensions between Hezbollah and Israeli forces on the Lebanon-Israel border, the U.S. State Department has emphasized that Washington wants the Lebanese state and army to take control of the border.
A State Department spokesperson told Al Arabiya/Al Hadath that Hezbollah is exploiting the political vacuum in Lebanon.
Furthermore, the U.S. State Department stated that Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant assured Secretary of State Antony Blinken that Israel prefers a diplomatic solution to the tensions with Hezbollah.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin earlier warned that Hezbollah’s “provocations” could drag Israel and Lebanon into an open war.
He said, “Such a war would be catastrophic for Lebanon and devastating for innocent Israeli and Lebanese civilians.”
Austin added, “Diplomacy is the best means to prevent further escalation. Therefore, we are urgently seeking a diplomatic agreement to restore lasting calm to Israel’s northern border and allow civilians to safely return to their homes on both sides of the Israeli-Lebanese border.”
The intensity of confrontations and clashes between Hezbollah and the Israeli army has increased on both sides of the border since Israel assassinated Hezbollah commander Talib Abdullah about two weeks ago.
The threats between the two sides have also intensified, with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warning in a televised speech last Wednesday of striking all Israeli areas if the war expands. His threats even extended to Cyprus, which he accused of hosting drills with Israeli forces.
In response, the Israeli army announced last week that it had approved plans for a broader attack in Lebanon.
Additionally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed two days ago that the battles in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, would soon end, allowing the focus to shift to the northern front, referring to the border with Lebanon.
