United States President Joe Biden said he is waiting for more information before commenting on Israel’s air strikes in Beirut, Lebanon, this Friday (27). He reaffirmed that the US was not involved in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operation.
“We are still collecting information, but I can guarantee that the United States had no knowledge or participation in the IDF action. We are collecting more information. I will have more to say when we have more data,” Biden told reporters.
THE CNN reported this Friday that, according to a US official, Israel informed about the operation when it was already underway and with planes in the air.
“We had no prior knowledge of this and this does not qualify as a warning,” the employee commented.
An Israeli official told CNN that the notification was sent “shortly before” the attack and that the US played no role in the operation.
When asked if he believed that the attacks – that the CNN reported that they would target Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah – were justified, Biden refused to say.
“We need to get more details,” he commented. “I don’t know enough to answer that question.”
He added that he is “always concerned” about conflict and rising tensions in the region.
At least two people were killed and 76 injured after several Israeli air strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said on Friday (27).
Understand the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah
Israel has launched a series of airstrikes on areas of Lebanon in recent days. On Monday (23), the country had its deadliest day since the 2006 war, with more than 500 fatalities. According to the Israeli military, the targets are members and military infrastructure of Hezbollah, one of the most powerful paramilitary forces in the Middle East and supported by Iran.
The offensive reached several points in Lebanon, including the country’s capital, Beirut. Thousands of people sought refuge in shelters and left cities in the south of the country.
Furthermore, a land incursion has not been ruled out.
Hezbollah and Israel began exchanging attacks after the start of the war in the Gaza Strip. The Lebanese group is an ally of Hamas, which invaded Israeli territory on October 7, 2023, killing hundreds of people and capturing hostages.
Due to the bombings, thousands of residents of northern Israel, where the border with Lebanon is located, had to be displaced. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised several times to return these citizens to their homes.
On September 17, Israel added the return of these residents as an official war objective.
A 15-year-old Brazilian teenager died after an Israeli airstrike. Itamaraty condemned the situation and called for an end to hostilities. The Brazilian government is also evaluating a possible rescue mission.
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This content was originally published in Biden says the US had “no knowledge or participation” in the Beirut attack on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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