United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. This comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed reports of an imminent ceasefire in Lebanon as “incorrect.”
“Let me be clear: Israel and Lebanon can choose a different path,” Austin said at a press conference in London.
“Despite the strong escalation in recent days, a diplomatic solution is still viable,” he commented.
Austin’s speech came after the US and allies called for a 21-day ceasefire, and Netanyahu said Israel would continue fighting “with full force.”
“A diplomatic solution, not a military solution, is the only way to ensure that displaced civilians on both sides of the border return home,” said the American.
The secretary also warned that “no one should attempt to exploit this crisis or expand this conflict” against US forces in the region.
“Make no mistake, the United States remains positioned to protect our forces throughout the Middle East,” he declared.
He also said that a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah would give time to continue working on a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
British Defense Secretary John Healey and Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles expressed their support for the proposed 21-day ceasefire.
Healey said Israel claimed to be “prepared to accept” the proposal.
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.
Almost the entire population of Gaza has been displaced amid the new Israeli offensive
This content was originally published in US Secretary of Defense pushes for ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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