In a significant diplomatic exchange, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin conveyed deep concerns to Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant regarding recent incidents where Israeli forces targeted United Nations peacekeeping positions in Lebanon.
During their call, Austin emphasized the critical importance of ensuring the safety and security of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Lebanese Armed Forces. He urged a swift transition from military operations to a diplomatic approach, highlighting the urgent need to address the escalating humanitarian situation in Gaza.
\"I strongly emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and security of UNIFIL forces and the Lebanese Armed Forces and reinforced the need to pivot from military operations in Lebanon to a diplomatic pathway as soon as feasible,\" Austin stated in a post on X. He further affirmed the United States' \"unwavering, enduring and ironclad commitment to Israel's security.\"
The recent tensions have led to multiple injuries among UNIFIL personnel. On Saturday, a UNIFIL soldier was injured at their headquarters in Naqoura due to \"fire of unknown origin,\" marking the fifth incident this week. This follows two Indonesian soldiers sustaining injuries from an observation tower following Israeli tank fire and two Sri Lankan soldiers injured in a similar incident.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have reported that their troops engaged what they described as an \"immediate threat\" near a UNIFIL position, believing they were confronting Hezbollah militants. Additionally, the Lebanese army accused Israel of targeting a military center in Kafra, resulting in the death of two Lebanese troops.
Since October began, the Israeli military has intensified ground operations against Hezbollah near the southern Lebanon border, coupled with increased airstrikes and artillery shelling in the southern suburbs of Beirut.
These developments underscore the fragile state of peace in the region and the pressing need for international diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and protect humanitarian workers.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
