The US ambassador to the United Nations said that the United States does not want to downplay the significance of the explosions in Lebanon, but the investigation into the circumstances of the alleged Israeli operation is still ongoing, and it is expected that both sides will refrain from creating another conflict. She told reporters on Wednesday. Linda Thomas-Greenfield stressed at her press conference in Washington that the United States warns all parties concerned against contributing to further escalation of the situation. He stated that the United States continues to participate in negotiations that are trying to reach a result in order to stop the fighting in the Gaza Strip.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Egypt on Wednesday that Tuesday’s explosions in Lebanon and other unplanned actions threaten to derail the Gaza ceasefire talks. According to the US diplomat, this is not the first time that American and international mediators have thought there was progress in the negotiations, only to have something happen that complicates the process and may derail it.
Lt. Gen. Derek France, commander of U.S. air forces in the Middle East, said they were reviewing deployments to the region in case of a retaliatory attack. Given the gravity of the situation, the military commander canceled his participation in a security conference near Washington.
Pagers used by members of the militant Hezbollah group exploded in Lebanon on Tuesday, killing several people, including children, and wounding several thousand. On Wednesday, transmitters used by the Lebanese militant group exploded in similar circumstances, also killing several people and wounding hundreds. The bombings are considered an Israeli military operation, but Israel has not yet officially acknowledged them.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday urged the parties concerned to exercise restraint to avoid further escalation of the situation.
(MTI)
