U.S. Defense Secretary Calls for Reduced Strikes in Lebanon
On Saturday, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III expressed grave concerns regarding the escalating civilian casualties in Lebanon, stating they were “far too high.” He urged Israel to consider scaling back its military operations, particularly in or near Beirut. This marks a significant moment as Mr. Austin is the highest-ranking U.S. official to publicly make such a strong statement regarding the situation.
In his remarks, Mr. Austin attributed part of the responsibility for the civilian toll to Hezbollah, which he accused of concealing its weapons and fighters among the civilian populace. This assertion highlights the complexities of the ongoing conflict, where militant groups often operate within populated areas.
Earlier this week, Najib Mikati, Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, revealed that his government had received “a sort of guarantee” from the Biden administration regarding a reduction in Israeli military actions targeting Beirut. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed on Wednesday that the Biden administration had explicitly communicated its opposition to the “near-daily strikes” occurring in “densely populated areas of Beirut.”
- “We also understand that the operations being conducted to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure are targeted,” Ms. Jean-Pierre noted.
- She emphasized the importance of carrying out these operations in a manner that safeguards civilian lives, stating, “It is critical that these operations be conducted in a way that would not threaten the lives of civilians.”
Following these statements, there appeared to be a temporary reduction in Israeli strikes around Lebanon’s capital. However, on Saturday, the Israeli military resumed its bombardment, particularly targeting Dahiya, a densely populated urban area in Beirut under Hezbollah’s influence. These strikes represented one of the most intense waves of attacks in the region in recent days.
Moreover, Mr. Austin acknowledged some efforts made in recent days to address the significant decline in humanitarian aid flowing into Gaza. Just last Sunday, he and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken conveyed a clear message to senior Israeli officials, warning that the nation could face consequences, including a potential reduction in U.S. security assistance, if there was not a marked increase in humanitarian support for Gazans within the next 30 days.
During a press conference held after a security meeting of the Group of Seven in Naples, Italy, Mr. Austin did not provide further specific details regarding the renewed flow of aid to Gaza. Nevertheless, he did communicate with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, expressing relief that a drone launched from Lebanon towards Prime Minister Netanyahu’s private residence in Caesarea had not resulted in any injuries, as reported by Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Patrick S. Ryder.