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Published December 18, 2023, 6:21 PM ET
WASHINGTON – Israel vowed on Monday to take on the Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon if a diplomatic solution cannot be reached – as the United States sought to calm tensions and prevent a wider war.
Speaking in Tel Aviv, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant promised that the Jewish state “will not hesitate to take action” to wipe out the militant group.
“If we fail to achieve this through understanding – by ensuring that the border region is free of terrorists and does not allow any direct threat to our citizens – and such a process is not implemented diplomatically, we will not hesitate to act,” said Gallant.
The retired Israel Defense Forces general said Hezbollah had regularly fired “rockets, missiles and drones” from Lebanon into northern Israel since October 8 – a day after the monstrous sneak attack by the also Iran-backed terrorist group Hamas in which more when 1,200 Israelis were slaughtered.
Hezbollah's attacks displaced more than 70,000 citizens living near the border, Gallant said.
Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin joined Gallant in his second visit to Israel since the conflict erupted in condemning Hezbollah – but did not say whether the US would support Israel if it decided to retaliate.
“As far as Lebanon is concerned, we have made it clear that we do not want this conflict to escalate into a larger war or a regional war, and we call on Hezbollah to ensure that it does not do things that provoke a larger conflict would,” he said.
Israel vowed on Monday to take on the Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon if a diplomatic solution cannot be reached. AFP via Getty Images Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant promised that the Jewish state “will not hesitate to take action” to wipe out the militant group. AFP via Getty Images
Austin's response was part of an ongoing narrative from Washington urging outside actors to be cautious lest they fuel an expansion of the Hamas-Israel conflict across the Middle East.
While the U.S. has steadfastly affirmed Israel's right to defend itself, the Biden administration has urged the country to do so with some restraint to avoid a larger war and reduce harm to civilians.
“Our support for Israel's right to defend itself is unwavering, as you have heard me say many times, and that will not change. It’s critical,” Austin said.
While Gallant said diplomacy was the “preferred path” to end Hezbollah's attacks and stressed that Israel “does not seek wars,” he added that the IDF must protect Israeli citizens.
Hezbollah's attacks have displaced more than 70,000 citizens living near the border. Portal
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“On the one hand, we are patient and looking for a diplomatic solution that ensures that Hezbollah is not threatened[ing] Israeli civilians in the north and communities directly,” the defense minister said.
“On the other hand, we prepare for any situation that is necessary, and if something like this were to happen, we know what to do and we will prevail.”
Gallant added: “We do not expect anything like this and hope that Hezbollah understands that it is time to stop.”
Lebanese Hezbollah supporters take part in a protest rally in support of Palestinians in Gaza. Portal
Austin noted that the US is also not “looking for war” and called on Iran to “take measures to de-escalate hostilities.”
“As we strive to stabilize the region, Iran is increasing tensions by continuing to support terrorist groups and militias,” he said. “Attacks by these Iranian proxies threaten citizens of the region and risk a wider conflict.”
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said at the White House on Monday that while Israel “obviously has a right to self-defense,” the U.S. does not want to see a “full-blown conflict” between Hezbollah and Israel.
“We want it to stay that way and for this conflict, as it rightly should be, to be focused on Hamas and the period after October 7,” he said.
“That is why we are in active discussions with our Israeli colleagues about the activities up there on the northern border.”
So far, the IDF has focused most of its attacks on Hamas in the northern Gaza Strip, where civilian casualties have risen as terrorists use innocent people as human shields.
As of Monday, Gallant said the IDF had attacked “thousands” of Hamas fighters “including senior commanders” in northern Gaza, “destroyed military infrastructure” and “disbanded most of the battalions operating in the region.”
The retired Israel Defense Forces general said Hezbollah had regularly fired “rockets, missiles and drones” from Lebanon into northern Israel since October 8. AP/Hussein Malla The Biden administration has urged Israel to relax its efforts to avoid a major war. AFP via Getty Images
However, the defense minister said Hamas' leadership in southern Gaza remained intact, meaning there needed to be a greater focus there.
“In the south of the Gaza Strip we are resigned and are concentrating on elimination[ing] Hamas leadership and military infrastructure,” he said.
But after Israel came under fire for high civilian casualties in the north, the US has urged the Jewish state to exercise caution and carry out more targeted attacks, particularly as fighting moves to the southern Gaza Strip, where Israel had initially told civilians they should go there to avoid attacks from the north.
“Since Hamas began this war on October 7, the United States has been clear and consistent: Democracies are stronger and safer when we uphold the laws of war,” Austin said.
“Protecting Palestinian civilians in Gaza is both a moral duty and a strategic imperative.”
Filed under Defense, Department of Defense, Gaza Strip, Hamas, Hezbollah, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, Israel War 2023, Lebanon, Lloyd Austin, Military, Secretary of Defense, 12/18/23
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