Blinken “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,” the State Department said in its readout on the secretary’s meeting with Gallant.
For his part, Gallant “raised the possible ways to change the security situation in the northern arena,” according to a readout from his office.
“Gallant emphasized the importance of the US standing with Israel in this mission and its impact on the actions taken by Hezbollah and Iran,” the Israeli readout added.
Blinken’s warning was the latest from a top Biden official, as the administration seeks to prevent a full-fledged war between Israel and Hezbollah, which began launching near-daily attacks on the north following Hamas’s October 7 onslaught.
Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. warned Sunday that any Israeli military offensive into Lebanon would risk an Iranian response in defense of Hezbollah and that US forces would be challenged to bolster Israel’s air defense umbrella. READ MORE