Kirby: 'Diplomacy' being used to prevent Lebanon-'Israel' war
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US officials have issued a warning to the Israeli occupation regarding its "limited ability to defend itself" if it were to engage in an open war with Hezbollah.
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A screengrab from a video showing two Hezbollah fighters before launching an ATGM at an Israeli military base in January 2024 (Hezbollah Military Media)
The White House maintained on Wednesday that it does not desire a full-fledged war between the Israelis and Lebanon with White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby explaining during a news briefing that "We're working diplomatically to prevent that outcome from happening."
According to Newsweek, another war between "Israel" and the Lebanese Resistance, Hezbollah, could bring "untold devastation" to both and would be Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's greatest obstacle yet.
US officials have issued a warning to the Israeli occupation regarding its "limited ability to defend itself" if it were to engage in an open war with Hezbollah, the Financial Times reported Tuesday.
The report describes Hezbollah as one of the most heavily armed non-state actors in the world, highlighting the difficulty the Israeli occupation would face were it ever to engage in such an endeavor.
According to the newspaper, diplomats have conveyed that both the Israeli occupation and Hezbollah have informed the United States of their mutual desire to avoid a full-scale war.
Israeli media reported on Sunday that Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant went to the United States against the backdrop of developments in the North with Hezbollah and for fear of a comprehensive war with it and a possible ammunition shortage crisis.
Austin told reporters that another war would become regional, with "terrible consequences for the Middle East," adding that "Diplomacy is by far the best way to prevent more escalation."
Gallant told Austin at the start of the talk that "readiness in every possible scenario" should be discussed.
White House 'not involved' in Assange case
Kirby also stated that the White House had no involvement in finalizing Julian Assange's legal case, detailing that "The White House was not involved in any way whatsoever in Julian Assange's case … and the decisions pursuant … to his sentencing and his repatriation back to Australia, that was a DOJ matter."
Julian Assange's wife, Stella Assange announced that Assange left Belmarsh prison on the morning of June 24, after spending 1901 days in detention. He boarded a plane at Stansted Airport and is expected to land in Australia soon.
Assange was granted bail by the British High Court and is expected to finalize the plea deal with US authorities later on.
The United States sought to put Assange on trial for publishing US military secrets and evidence of war crimes in the American wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is accused of publishing some 700,000 confidential documents relating to US military and diplomatic activities.
Touching on the situation in Kenya, Kirby stated that the Biden administration is asking Kenya's police to use reasonable action and protect human rights in the face of large protests."
Kirby told the reporters during a briefing that the US has"been in touch with the Kenyan government to urge appropriate use of force by the police, to respect human rights and, frankly, to respect due process for those that have been detained."
At least 10 people were killed, and many others were injured on Tuesday when police fired on hundreds of protesters who stormed the parliament compound in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. The protesters were demonstrating against recently passed legislation that increased taxes.
Lawmakers were forced to seek refuge in underground tunnels as the demonstrators breached the security perimeter.
Regarding the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte's forthcoming selection as NATO's next secretary-general, Kirby stated that the announcement is "Welcome" by the US.
Rutte has been appointed as NATO's next secretary-general, acquiring an important position during a critical time amid the Russia-Ukraine war and the upcoming US elections.
