WASHINGTON – Israel vowed Monday to confront the Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah in Lebanon if a diplomatic solution cannot be reached, as the United States sought to ease tensions and discourage a broader war.
Speaking in Tel Aviv, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant promised that the Jewish state “would not hesitate to act” to wipe out the militant group.
“If we are not able to do it through understanding – ensuring that the border region is free of terrorists and does not allow direct threats to our citizens – if that process is not implemented diplomatically, we will not hesitate to act,” Gallant said.
The retired Israel Defense Forces general said Hezbollah has been regularly launching “rockets, missiles and drones” into northern Israel from Lebanon since October 8, a day after the monstrous sneak attack by the Hamas-backed terrorist group by Iran, which killed more than 1,200 Israelis. .
Hezbollah attacks have displaced more than 70,000 citizens living near the border, Gallant said.
Meanwhile, speaking alongside Gallant on his second visit to Israel since the conflict broke out, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin condemned Hezbollah but stopped short of saying whether the US would support Israel if it decided to retaliate.
“On Lebanon, we have been clear that we do not want this conflict to expand into a larger war or a regional war, and we call on Hezbollah to ensure that it does not do things that provoke a broader conflict. ,” he said.
Israel vowed Monday to confront the Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah in Lebanon if a diplomatic solution cannot be reached. AFP via Getty Images Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant promised that the Jewish state “would not hesitate to act” to eliminate the militant group. AFP via Getty Images
Austin’s response was part of a continuing narrative from Washington urging outside actors to be careful not to fuel a spread of the conflict between Hamas and Israel throughout the Middle East.
While the United States has remained steadfast in its support of Israel’s right to defend itself, the Biden administration has pressed the country to do so with some restraint to avoid a larger war and reduce harm to civilians.
“Our support for Israel’s right to defend itself is strong, as you have heard me say several times, and that is not going to change. “It’s critical,” Austin said.
While Gallant said diplomacy is the “preferred way” to end Hezbollah attacks, insisting that Israel “does not seek war,” he added that the IDF must protect Israeli citizens.
Hezbollah attacks have displaced more than 70,000 citizens living near the border. REUTERS
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“On the one hand, we are patient and looking for a diplomatic solution that ensures that Hezbollah is not threatened.[ing] Israeli civilians in the north and communities directly,” said the Defense Minister.
“On the other hand, we are preparing for whatever situation is necessary, and if something like this were to happen, we will know what to do and we will prevail.”
Gallant added: “We are not looking for anything like that and we hope Hezbollah understands that it is time to stop.”
Lebanese Hezbollah supporters attend a protest in support of Palestinians in Gaza. REUTERS
Noting that the United States is also not “seeking war,” Austin called on Iran to “take measures to reduce” hostilities.
“As we strive to stabilize the region, Iran is raising tensions by continuing to support terrorist groups and militias,” he said. “Attacks by these Iranian proxies threaten citizens in the region and risk a broader conflict.”
Speaking from the White House on Monday, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that while “obviously Israel has the right to self-defense,” the United States does not want to see “an all-out conflict” between Hezbollah and Israel.
“We want it to continue like this, for this conflict to focus, as it should, on Hamas and after October 7,” he said.
“So we are in active discussions with our Israeli counterparts about the activities taking place there on the northern border.”
The IDF has so far focused most of its attacks on Hamas in northern Gaza, where civilian casualty rates have risen as terrorists use innocents as human shields.
As of Monday, Gallant said the IDF had attacked “thousands” of Hamas fighters “including senior commanders” in northern Gaza, “destroyed military infrastructure” and “dismantled most of the battalions operating in the area.”
The retired Israel Defense Forces general said Hezbollah has been regularly launching “rockets, missiles and drones” into northern Israel from Lebanon since October 8. AP/Hussein Malla The Biden administration has pressured Israel to reduce its efforts to avoid a larger war. war. AFP via Getty Images
However, the defense minister said Hamas’s leadership remains intact in southern Gaza, meaning more attention will need to be paid there.
“In southern Gaza, we are resigned and focused on eliminating[ing] Hamas leadership and military infrastructure,” he said.
But after Israel was criticized for high civilian casualty rates in the north, the United States urged the Jewish state to exercise caution and carry out more targeted strikes, particularly as the fighting moves to southern Gaza, where Israel initially He told civilians to go to avoid attacks in the north.
“The United States has been clear and consistent since Hamas started this war on October 7: democracies are stronger and more secure when we respect the law of war,” Austin said.
“Protecting Palestinian civilians in Gaza is both a moral duty and a strategic imperative.”
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