Biden claims US is working on de-escalation in Lebanon

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
23 Sep 2024 21:59

US President Joe Biden claimed that US officials were in touch with their counterparts and working towards de-escalation in "a way that allows people to return home safely."

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Cars sit in traffic in the southern city of Sidon, as they flee the southern villages amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes, Monday, September 23, 2024 (AP)

President Joe Biden has asserted that his country was attempting to calm the situation in Lebanon following Israeli air raids that killed at least 274 people, including children.

During a meeting with the President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the White House that he was updated on the current situation and that his staff was "in constant contact with their counterparts, and we're working to de-escalate in a way that allows people to return home safely."

While President Biden asserts the country is aiming to calm tensions, he seems to not comment on the fact that this aggression and escalation is funded by his government, which approved an unprecedented emergency military supplies shipments worth $14 billion, in addition to the regular annual US military aid of $3.8 billion. Washington also provided an additional $500 million for Israeli air defense systems.

The Israeli National Unity chairman Benny Gantz has declared that "Israel" should not only act "against Hezbollah but also against the sovereign state of Lebanon," claiming it "bears responsibility for terrorism emanating from its territory.”

According to the former war cabinet minister, "Israel" has two options for moving forward and returning settlers to the occupied north: either reach an agreement to deter Hezbollah or "continue the offensive, including entering on the ground if necessary."

Meanwhile, Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant said on Monday that he discussed the regional situation with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, as well as the IOF's upcoming operations against Hezbollah.

"Spoke yesterday [Sunday] evening with US Secretary of Defense following my visit to the IDF’s Northern Command. Provided the Secretary with a situation assessment of Hezbollah threats and briefed him on IDF operations to degrade Hezbollah’s ability to launch attacks against Israeli civilians," Gallant said on X.

Gallant and Austin discussed the general situation of the region, including threats by Iran and its "proxies."

On the other hand, former Israeli Air Force commander Brig.-Gen. (res.) Zvika Haimovich highlighted the extent of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's current failure in military strategy against Hezbollah in a Sunday interview for Maariv.

He noted that "Israel's" recent strikes on the movement do not align with the government's objectives to restore stability in the North.

Israeli airstrikes trap southern Lebanon residents, hundreds killed

Residents of Majdal Selm village in southern Lebanon informed Sputnik on Monday that families living along the southern border are unable to evacuate to safer areas of the country due to heavy shelling by Israeli aircraft.

"Attacks are being carried out on houses and roads, they have not stopped since early morning. That is why we cannot leave the village," one of the residents said.

At least one family had been killed in an airstrike, one resident said, adding that similar incidents were occurring in the villages of Touline and Qabrikha.

Residents of nearby villages confirmed to Sputnik that they have been unable to evacuate due to ongoing bombings.

Meanwhile, the main road from southern Lebanon to Beirut has been paralyzed by a massive flow of refugees, stretching for kilometers.