LONDON: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday warned that “all-out war” between Israel and Hezbollah would be “devastating” for Israel and Lebanon, but that a ceasefire could buy time to stop the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Speaking at a news conference after meetings with his UK and Australian counterparts in the AUKUS military alliance, Austin said in London, “A full-scale war between Hezbollah and Israel could be devastating for both parties.”
Austin emphasized the need for both parties to “choose a different path,” asserting that despite the escalating conflict, a diplomatic solution remains a viable option. He called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire to facilitate a resolution to the hostilities.
Such an outcome is “the only way to ensure that displaced civilians on both sides of the border can finally go home,” Austin said.
This appeal for a ceasefire follows significant violence in the region, where Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon resulted in hundreds of casualties and tens of thousands of people displaced.
Austin noted that a pause in hostilities would provide crucial time to negotiate a broader ceasefire that could also address the ongoing conflict in Gaza and facilitate the release of hostages.
A pause in hostilities would “provide time” for a deal to be struck that would allow Israel and Lebanese civilians to return home, Austin said.
This time could also be used “to conclude and implement a deal to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and to bring all the hostages home,” said Austin. “We recognize that there is hard work to be done. We are committed to doing that work, and yes, I am optimistic,” he added.
The US and allied leaders, including President Joe Biden, have jointly urged for the immediate 21-day ceasefire. However, Israel’s Foreign Minister has publicly rejected the proposal, insisting on the necessity of continuing military operations against Hezbollah.
The situation has been exacerbated by a recent surge of refugees crossing from Lebanon into Syria, with Lebanese authorities reporting over 31,000 people fleeing the Israeli violence in just two days. This influx highlights the growing humanitarian crisis as Israeli airstrikes continue to pound the region.
Over the past two days, Lebanese authorities “recorded the crossing of 15,600 Syrian citizens and 16,130 Lebanese citizens into Syrian territory”, a statement from the country’s disaster management unit said.
Tensions within Israel’s government have surfaced regarding the ceasefire. Far-right members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition strongly oppose any halt to military actions, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich asserting that the only acceptable outcome is the complete dismantling of Hezbollah’s capabilities.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir threatened to boycott cabinet activities if any ceasefire were agreed upon.
Meanwhile, Israel’s opposition leader, Yair Lapid, called for a brief seven-day ceasefire to prevent Hezbollah from regaining its operational strength, insisting that any truce must involve the withdrawal of Hezbollah forces from Israel’s northern border.
