In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iranian-backed Hezbollah, Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut on Thursday evening, mere hours after the United States cautioned against Israel becoming entangled in a “protracted” military campaign in Lebanon. The strikes, which targeted Hezbollah strongholds in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, came on the heels of a visit to the region by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who emphasized that while Israel has the right to defend itself, prolonged hostilities could prove counterproductive.
The airstrikes, which Lebanese state media reported occurred about half an hour after Israel issued evacuation warnings for the targeted areas, mark a new phase in the month-long Israeli offensive against Hezbollah. Israel launched the campaign with the stated goal of securing the return of tens of thousands of its citizens who were forced to flee their homes in northern Israel due to a year of cross-border attacks by the militant group.
US Diplomacy Aims to Defuse Tensions
During his 11th trip to the region in the past year, Secretary Blinken underscored the United States’ position that Israel’s military operations “cannot lead, should not lead, to a protracted campaign” in Lebanon. He also revealed that the US is actively working on a diplomatic agreement that would allow civilians on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border to return safely to their homes.
“As Israel conducts operations to remove the threat to Israel and its people along the border with Lebanon, we have been very clear that this cannot lead, should not lead, to a protracted campaign,” Blinken said during a press conference in Doha, Qatar.
– US Secretary of State Antony Blinken
The secretary of state’s diplomatic efforts extend beyond Lebanon, with plans to meet with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati in London on Friday, as well as with the foreign ministers of Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. These two key US partners are expected to play a significant role in a postwar plan for Gaza, according to the State Department.
Renewed Hope for Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Release
In a parallel development, US and Israeli negotiators are set to convene in Doha to lay the groundwork for renewed talks on a Gaza ceasefire deal, which would also include the release of hostages held by Hamas in the Palestinian territory. The head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, David Barnea, is scheduled to travel to Doha on Sunday to participate in the discussions, where he will meet with CIA Director William Burns and Qatar’s prime minister.
“The parties will discuss the various options for starting negotiations for the release of the hostages from Hamas captivity, against the backdrop of the latest developments,” a statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu read.
However, Hamas senior official Osama Hamdan told the pro-Iranian Al Mayadeen channel that the group’s stance remains unchanged, insisting that “the hostages held by the resistance will only return by stopping the aggression and completely withdrawing.”
Hopes Pinned on Diplomacy Amid Escalating Conflict
Secretary Blinken’s diplomatic mission comes at a critical juncture, as it marks his first visit to the region since Israel killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind behind the group’s devastating attack on Israel in October 2023, which sparked the current conflict. The United States, a close ally of Israel, has expressed cautious optimism that Sinwar’s death could provide an impetus for ending the hostilities.
As the situation in the Middle East remains tense, with Israeli airstrikes hitting Beirut and efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza intensifying, the international community’s hopes are pinned on the success of diplomatic initiatives led by the United States. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the region will witness a de-escalation of tensions or a further descent into violence and instability.
