As the US seeks to curb Israel’s willingness to attack Hezbollah, Secretary of State Antony Blinken renewed his call for diplomatic negotiations between Israel and Hezbollah during a White House press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday.
Sixty-two percent of Jewish Israelis support an “all-out” attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to a survey by the Jewish Civil Policy Institute released on Monday, with 36 percent of respondents in favor of an immediate attack.
But Blinken said he did not believe Israel or Hezbollah wanted to escalate the conflict.
“Lebanon certainly won’t do that. It’s Lebanon that will be hurt the most,” Blinken said. “I don’t think Iran will do that, but there is still potential momentum in that direction.”
With daily exchanges underway, it’s possible for the other side to miscalculate or not fully understand what they’re doing, Blinken said. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in Tel Aviv last week with families and supporters of hostages held in Gaza who had rallied to demand their release. (Photo by Marko Jurica/Reuters)
Blinken believes the sheer number of Israelis displaced from their homes in the north is why Israel will avoid war.
Hezbollah threat makes life impossible – Blinken
Blinken said Hezbollah threats have made life impossible, with many people in southern Lebanon unable to live in their homes and towns.
“We are working to find a diplomatic solution so that people on both sides of the border can live in their homes and return to their ancestral homes in peace,” he added.
“Again, a lot of this comes down to a ceasefire. The most direct way to strengthen our diplomatic leverage and reach an agreement that allows people to return to their homes and live safely is a ceasefire in Gaza,” Blinken said, “because Hezbollah is linking the actions it is taking against Israel to Gaza.”
