US seeks agreement to prevent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, says Pentagon

The United States is working urgently for a diplomatic agreement that would allow Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return to their homes on both sides of the border, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday (25).

Bombings on Israel’s northern border have led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of people from areas on both sides of the border and have intensified in recent weeks, raising fears of an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah.

“Hezbollah’s provocations threaten to drag the Israeli and Lebanese people into a war they do not want. A war like this would be a catastrophe for Lebanon and would be devastating for innocent Israeli and Lebanese civilians,” said Austin, at the beginning of his meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant at the Pentagon.

“Diplomacy is by far the best way to avoid further escalation. So we are urgently seeking a diplomatic agreement that will restore calm on Israel’s northern border and allow civilians to safely return to their homes on both sides,” the US secretary added.

Israel’s national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, said Israel will spend the next few weeks trying to resolve the conflict with Hezbollah and that he prefers a diplomatic solution.

Hanegbi said Israel is discussing with American officials the possibility that an end to Israeli military operations in Gaza would allow a “deal” with Hezbollah.

Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging attacks for more than eight months, in parallel with the war in Gaza.

At the Pentagon, the Israeli defense minister said he would discuss military readiness with Austin.

“We are working closely to reach an agreement, but we also need to discuss readiness in all possible scenarios,” said Gallant.

The Israeli official told United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday (24) that Israel prefers a diplomatic solution to the conflict with Hezbollah, according to the US State Department.

“We think a diplomatic solution is possible. We think it is in the interest of all parties involved,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Tuesday (25).

The Israeli Defense Minister at the Pentagon said he would discuss the close defense ties between Israel and the United States, but also areas of divergence.

In May, the Biden administration paused the shipment of 900 kg and 225 kg bombs over concerns about the impact they would have on densely populated areas, but Israel was still expected to receive billions of dollars worth of weapons from the United States.