The United States expressed its desire for the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict to end “as soon as possible,” urging for the enforcement of a UN resolution requiring Hezbollah to withdraw from southern Lebanon. This statement comes as Israeli forces have intensified their operations in Lebanon, including targeting financial groups associated with Hezbollah, while continuing their military actions in Gaza.
US envoy Amos Hochstein, currently in Beirut, emphasized that the future of Lebanon should not be tied to other regional conflicts, particularly referencing Hezbollah’s demand for a ceasefire in Lebanon to be linked to the situation in Gaza. Hochstein pointed out that the 2006 UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which aimed to end the previous Israel-Hezbollah war, should serve as the framework for a new ceasefire, noting that neither side has done enough to implement its provisions.
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Amid escalating tensions, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to embark on a new diplomatic mission in the Middle East, focusing on securing a ceasefire in Gaza. This push comes in the wake of fears of broader conflict following Iranian missile attacks and Israeli responses, which have heightened tensions throughout the region.
The conflict has already claimed the lives of over 1,470 individuals in Lebanon, with further casualties reported in Gaza since the beginning of hostilities last month. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community is closely monitoring developments, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
