Antony Blinken Warns Israel Against Escalating Conflict with Lebanon

June 25 :
Tensions between Israel and Lebanon have further escalated the conflict in the Middle East, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed during his meeting with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday (local time) in Tel Aviv, Secretary Blinken addressed the continuing efforts to end the violence in Gaza and provided an update on the post-conflict period's progress in securing the territory, establishing effective governance, and rebuilding damaged buildings.

Yoav Gallant, the Israeli minister of defence, met with Secretary Antony J. Blinken today. A statement was issued by US State Department spokeswoman Mathew Miller, stating that they had a conversation on the continuing efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza that would secure the release of all hostages and alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. In addition, he stressed the need of taking extra precautions to safeguard humanitarian workers in Gaza and coordinating aid distribution across the territory with the UN.

Blinken apprised Gallant on the continuing diplomatic endeavours to promote governance, security, and reconstruction in Gaza in the aftermath of the fighting, stressing the critical nature of these endeavours to the safety of Israel. In addition, he stressed the need for a diplomatic resolution that would enable families in Israel and Lebanon to go back to their homes without the situation getting worse. The statement went on to say that Secretary Blinken reiterated America's unwavering support for Israel's security.

Since Israel's military operation in Gaza in response to a Hamas attack on October 7, tensions between the two countries have increased dramatically. According to CNN, Israel has retaliated against missiles, mortars, and drones fired into it by the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

People on both sides of the mountainous border have fled in large numbers as fears of another full-scale war grow. The Times of Israel reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Monday that Israel is willing to temporarily halt hostilities in return for the release of certain Gaza hostages, but that the "war will not end" until Hamas is vanquished. The severe fighting phase in the Gaza Strip is also coming to an end, according to Netanyahu, as Israel prepares for what may be an all-out war with Hezbollah of Lebanon, which has been increasing its cross-border attacks on Israel.