Washington, Beirut (Al-Ittihad, agencies)
US officials said yesterday that the administration of President Joe Biden is deeply concerned that the escalation of violence between Israel and Lebanon in recent days will develop into an “all-out war,” and is striving to avoid that from happening.
American media quoted officials, whose identities were not revealed, as saying, “The United States is concerned about Israel rushing into war with Lebanon, or being drawn into it, without a clear strategy or considering the full repercussions of a broader conflict.”
The officials added, “The Biden administration is trying to contain the fighting between Israel and Lebanon as much as possible, in conjunction with its attempt to reach a ceasefire agreement and release detainees in Gaza.”
Yesterday, the Israeli army announced that it was attacking targets in Lebanon, the day after the largest attack by Lebanon on northern Israel since last October 8.
The army said in a statement: “During hours last night, warplanes raided military buildings in the Aita al-Shaab area in southern Lebanon,” adding: “The planes also targeted enemy infrastructure in the Ainata area.”
The fall of dozens of rockets fired from Lebanon on northern Israel led to the burning of thousands of dunams of the “Beria and Meron” forests. Israeli media said yesterday: “Due to the fires that broke out on Wednesday, about 3,500 dunams caught fire in the Berea and Meron forests.”
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation indicated that 200 missiles were monitored from Lebanon into the north of the country.
Yesterday, Israel vowed to respond to the attacks, saying that Lebanon bears responsibility for the escalation on the border.
In this context, French President Emmanuel Macron said yesterday that he agreed to form a tripartite committee that includes France, Israel, and the United States to discuss a road map to defuse tension between Lebanon and Israel.
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