US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged against escalating tensions between Israel and Lebanon after recent airstrikes by Israel. The strikes followed Israeli accusations that Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, was responsible for a rocket attack on the Golan Heights that reportedly killed 12 people. Hezbollah has denied involvement.
Blinken, speaking at a press conference in Tokyo, stated that the US is engaged in discussions with Israel about the incident and confirmed that indications suggest Hezbollah was behind the attack.
“I emphasize (Israel’s) right to defend its citizens and our determination to make sure that they’re able to do that,” Blinken said.
However, Blinken stressed the importance of preventing further escalation and spreading conflict.
He expressed sorrow over the loss of life and stressed the need for a ceasefire deal in Gaza to help stabilize the situation along the Israel-Lebanon border.
“It’s so important that we help defuse that conflict, not only prevent it from escalating, but to defuse it because you have so many people in both countries who’ve been displaced from their homes,” he added.