US calls for civilian protection in Israel's offensive on Hezbollah

The United States has reiterated the importance of ensuring civilian safety during Israel's operations targeting Hezbollah infrastructure, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at a briefing.

According to Jean-Pierre, Washington has been in continuous talks with the Israeli government regarding the nature of operations in Lebanon, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

“We understand that these operations are targeted specifically at dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure,” the official stated.

“It is critical—absolutely critical—that these operations are carried out in a manner that does not endanger the lives of civilians.”

The US has also engaged in diplomatic discussions with members of the Lebanese Armed Forces. “We have been very clear that these conversations will continue, both with the Israeli government and the Lebanese Armed Forces. Diplomatic efforts will remain ongoing,” the official emphasised.

Meanwhile, the US State Department has expressed opposition to Israel’s bombing of Beirut, voicing concerns during the ongoing strikes. In a statement made on October 16, officials made it clear that Washington disapproved of the airstrikes, which targeted southern Beirut. This comes just hours after the latest wave of attacks in the area.

Questions are now being raised about whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is heeding Washington’s calls for restraint. With tensions rising in the region, doubts persist over the extent of US influence on Israel’s military actions.

Notably, UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have reported a “direct and apparently deliberate” attack by Israeli forces on their positions, resulting in damage to a watchtower on October 16. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) stated that an Israeli Merkava tank fired at their watchtower near Kfar Kila, destroying two cameras and causing significant damage.

This incident adds to a growing list of violations against UN peacekeepers as Israel escalates its military actions in Lebanon, leading to hundreds of casualties and the displacement of nearly a quarter of the population.

On October 13, UNIFIL also reported that Israeli troops “forcibly entered” a peacekeeping position near Ramyah, breaching the UN-mandated Blue Line. Following this, Israeli forces fired smoke rounds near peacekeepers, resulting in 15 personnel experiencing skin irritation and gastrointestinal issues.

By Aghakazim Guliyev