World

United States Urges Israel’s Defence Minister To Avoid Escalation In Lebanon

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israel to avoid additional escalation in Lebanon during a meeting with its defence minister on Monday, as they reviewed efforts to free prisoners in Gaza.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant was in Washington to highlight the importance of Israel’s top partner, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly reprimanded the US over what he claimed was a delay in weapons supplies.

In a statement, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated, “In a two-hour meeting with Gallant at the State Department, Blinken discussed indirect diplomacy between Israel and Hamas on an agreement that secures the release of all hostages and alleviates the suffering of the Palestinian people”.

“Blinken also underscored the importance of avoiding further escalation of the conflict and reaching a diplomatic resolution that allows both Israeli and Lebanese families to return to their homes”, Miller continued.

Tensions have risen as Israel and Lebanon’s Iranian-backed militant outfit Hezbollah have exchanged fire more often.

Netanyahu has stated that Israeli soldiers are nearing the end of the most intense phase of the Gaza war and will redeploy to the northern border, describing the action as defensive.

Gallant also met with CIA Chief Bill Burns, the primary US negotiator in efforts to rescue prisoners from Hamas.

“I would like to emphasize that it is Israel’s primary commitment to return the hostages, with no exception, to their families and homes”, Gallant stated before beginning his talks.

“We will continue to make every possible effort to bring them home”, Gallant added.

Also read: France And Jordan Call On Israel To Lift Land-Based Restrictions On Gaza Aid

Spriha Rai

Recent Posts

Carney Invites Modi To G7 Summit, Highlights India’s Global Supply Chain Role

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the most populous country, with the fifth-largest economy, must…

12 mins ago

RBI Frontloads Rate Cuts To Boost Growth Amid Low Inflation: Crisil

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has frontloaded its rate cuts to support economic growth,…

51 mins ago

PM Modi Urges Global Action On Coastal Resilience At Nice Summit

PM Narendra Modi on Saturday called for urgent global action to build infrastructure that can…

58 mins ago

CJI BR Gavai Highlights Technology’s Historic Role In India’s Judicial System

CJI BR Gavai during the academic forum at the School of Oriental and African Studies…

1 hour ago

Jaishankar Reaffirms India’s Zero Tolerance Policy On Terrorism In Talks With UK Foreign Secretary Lammy

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday met UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and appreciated…

2 hours ago

HM Amit Shah Hails Anti-Naxal Success; Pledges Continued Drive For Peace

Amit Shah lauded the success of recent anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh and expressed his desire…

2 hours ago