White House: Escalating Conflict with Hezbollah Not in Israel’s Best Interest
BEIRUT, LEBANON – The White House has expressed concern over theescalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, stating that it believes further military escalation is not in Israel’s best interest. John Kirby, the National Security Council’sCoordinator for Strategic Communications, made the remarks during an interview on ABC News on Tuesday.
We believe that escalating this conflict is not in Israel’s best interest,Kirby said. We are communicating that directly to the Israeli government.
Kirby’s statement comes amidst a rapidly escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. On September 17 and 18, Lebanon experienced a series of communications equipment explosions,resulting in the deaths of 37 people and injuries to nearly 3,000. The Lebanese government has accused Israel of orchestrating the explosions, but Israel has not publicly responded to the allegations.
On September 20, Israel launched a missile strike on a southern Beirut suburb, killing 37 people, including at least two senior Hezbollah military commanders. On September 21, the Israeli military launched a large-scale attack on southern Lebanon. In retaliation, Hezbollah launched two missile attacks on the Israeli air base and airport in RamatDavid on September 22.
While Kirby declined to comment on the specifics of the communications equipment explosions, he emphasized the importance of finding a diplomatic solution to the conflict. We believe there are better ways to achieve the return of residents to northern Israel and to ensure the safety of Israelis in the region than through war andescalation, he said. There is still time and space for a diplomatic solution.
The White House’s call for de-escalation comes as international concerns over the conflict grow. The United Nations Security Council has called for an immediate ceasefire, and several countries have urged both sides to engage in dialogue.
However, thesituation remains volatile. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue its military operations against Hezbollah, while the group has threatened further retaliation.
The conflict has also raised concerns about the potential for a wider regional war. Both Israel and Hezbollah have powerful allies in the region, and any escalation could easily draw other countries into the conflict.
The current escalation marks a significant shift in the relationship between Israel and Hezbollah. The two groups have been engaged in a long-standing conflict, but recent years have seen a period of relative calm. The current conflict has raised concerns that the region could be on the verge of a new and potentially more dangerous chapter inthe Israeli-Lebanese conflict.
The international community is closely watching the situation and hoping for a peaceful resolution. However, with both sides showing no signs of backing down, the immediate future of the conflict remains uncertain.
Views: 0