Blinken advises Israel to avoid conflict with Lebanon
Tensions are high on the Israel-Lebanon border. The Israeli forces are getting disoriented by one attack after another by the Iran-backed group Hezbollah. In the meantime, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has suggested to reduce tensions with Lebanon. Blinken made the call during a meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant on Monday.
Israel’s Defense Minister Gallant recently visited Washington to address concerns. Blinken and Gallant had a two-hour meeting. Blinken discussed indirect diplomacy between Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement to ease the suffering of the Palestinian people, including securing the release of all hostages in Gaza.
In addition, William Burns, the head of the country’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), is playing an important role for the United States in negotiating the release of hostages held by Hamas. Gallant also met him during his visit to Washington.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said at a regular press briefing that during the meeting with Israel’s defense minister, Blinken stressed the importance of avoiding further escalation of the Gaza war and reaching a diplomatic solution. The main goal is to evacuate Lebanese and Israeli families so that they can return to their homes.
Miller said this after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to attack Lebanon.