The United States does not want to see “any side escalate this conflict,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, after the Israeli defense minister spoke of a “new phase in the war” and the Israel Defense Forces announced strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“It remains a very dangerous situation,” Miller said, noting that the risk of escalation has been present since October 7, 2023.
The US has stressed the need for a diplomatic solution on Israel’s northern border, both publicly and privately with Israeli authorities, Miller said, saying the Israeli government wants a resolution.
“You can look at the public statements and judge for yourself where they (Israel) are going. We still hear them saying they prefer a diplomatic resolution,” he told a news conference.
Asked repeatedly whether the US was prepared to continue supporting Israel if it opened another war front, Miller added that the US government stands “with the defense of Israel against terrorist organizations, which include Hamas, which include Hezbollah, which include other Iranian proxies.”
“We will continue to defend Israel’s right to protect itself, but we do not want to see either side escalate the tensions of this conflict, period,” he concluded.
The Israeli army struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Thursday (19), and the country’s Defense Forces noted that Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, chief of staff, “completed the approval of plans for the northern arena.”
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This content was originally published in US advocates de-escalation of conflict after Israel announces attacks in Lebanon on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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