U.S. Defense Secretary Urges Israel to Scale Down Attacks in Lebanon

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has called on Israel to reduce its military operations in and around Lebanon, citing concerns over the high number of civilian casualties.

In a statement reported by international news agencies, Austin emphasized, “The number of civilian deaths is alarmingly high. We want to see a decrease in Israeli attacks around Beirut and its surroundings, and we seek negotiations that would allow civilians on both sides to return safely to their homes.”

Austin revealed that he had raised concerns regarding the security of the United Nations peacekeeping forces (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon during discussions with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. He mentioned that Israel has assured there is no intention to target the UN forces, despite several incidents in recent days.

Addressing the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Secretary Austin stressed the need for aid to reach civilians. He said, “The people of Gaza should receive the humanitarian assistance they need to survive, and a greater share of this aid must be delivered to them.”

The U.S. Defense Department’s statement comes as G7 defense ministers expressed their support for UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) and the Lebanese Armed Forces, reiterating their commitment to maintaining stability in Lebanon.