Washington, D.C. – The United States has expressed its desire to prevent further escalation between Israel and Hezbollah after the Lebanese armed group blamed Israel for a series of deadly pager blasts. The Biden administration, while reiterating its support for Israel, also downplayed its ability to intervene in the conflict.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated that the US was not involved in the attacks and emphasized the importance of a diplomatic resolution to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. However, he noted that the responsibility for preventing war lies not only with the US but also with Israel, Hezbollah, and other countries in the region.
Rights advocates have called on the Biden administration to pressure Israel to end its offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in numerous Palestinian casualties. Analysts have criticized the US for not leveraging its aid to Israel to prevent a wider regional conflict.
Hezbollah has promised retaliation for the attacks, which claimed at least nine lives and injured thousands in Lebanon. The Israeli army has not commented on the explosions.
The timing of the attacks, coinciding with efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, has raised concerns about Israel’s commitment to peace talks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s response to US calls for de-escalation has been described as defiant.
Ramy Khoury, a scholar at the American University of Beirut, criticized the US for prioritizing Israeli interests over diplomacy in the region. He noted that American diplomatic efforts are often undermined by its unconditional support for Israel.
Overall, the situation remains tense as the US attempts to navigate its role in preventing further violence in the Middle East.
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