U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed deep concern to Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant on Saturday regarding reports of Israeli forces firing on United Nations peacekeeping positions in Lebanon.
In a phone call with Gallant, Austin emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and security of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Lebanese Armed Forces. “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, formerly known as Twitter. “I also raised the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and stressed that steps must be taken to address it.”
Austin reaffirmed the United States’ “unwavering, enduring, and ironclad commitment to Israel’s security” during the conversation.
UNIFIL reported on Saturday that one of its peacekeepers was injured at its headquarters in Naqoura, marking the fifth injury to its personnel this week. The soldier was hurt by “fire of unknown origin” amid ongoing military operations in the area.
Earlier incidents included two Indonesian UNIFIL soldiers who were injured after falling from an observation tower following Israeli tank fire. On Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged firing at an “immediate threat” near a UNIFIL position, resulting in injuries to two Sri Lankan peacekeepers. The IDF stated that its forces believed they were engaging Hezbollah militants.
The Lebanese army accused Israel on Friday of killing two of its soldiers during an attack on a military center in the town of Kafra, located in the Bent Jbeil district of southern Lebanon.
Since early October, tensions have escalated along the Lebanon-Israel border. The Israeli military has conducted targeted ground operations against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon while intensifying airstrikes and artillery shelling in the region, including the southern suburbs of Beirut.
The increasing hostilities have raised international concerns about a potential broader conflict. The United States has called for de-escalation and urged all parties to pursue diplomatic solutions to prevent further instability in the region.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
