US Urges Israel and Lebanon to Halt Escalation

Samuel Werberg, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department who communicates in Arabic, has made it clear that the United States does not endorse the widening conflict between Lebanon and Israel. Speaking on LBCI television, Werberg highlighted the U.S. efforts to encourage both nations to de-escalate tensions, adhere to the United Nations-marked Blue Line, and strive for peace.

He underscored the urgency for displaced individuals from both Lebanon and Israel to be able to safely return to their residences along the border. This statement comes in the wake of two Israeli airstrikes near Sidon in southern Lebanon, which resulted in 14 injuries and marked a significant escalation in the ongoing skirmishes between Israel and Hezbollah. The conflict has sparked international concern over the potential for a full-scale war akin to the 2006 conflict.

Since the onset of hostilities on October 7, stemming from the Israel-Hamas war, the region has witnessed almost daily exchanges of fire. These incidents have led to at least 269 deaths on the Lebanese side, predominantly among Hezbollah fighters, including 40 civilians. Meanwhile, on the Israeli side, the conflict has claimed the lives of 10 soldiers and six civilians.