Concerns about the expansion of the war in the Middle East, after the escalation between Israel and Lebanon

2024-06-24 15:35:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Concerns about the expansion of the war in the Middle East, after the escalation

Illustrative photo

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he is ready to partially approve a proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, dealing another blow to the US plan. Mr Netanyahu made the comments as Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is in Washington amid rising tensions between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group operating in Lebanon. American military officials and European diplomats have expressed concern about the expansion of the conflict in the Middle East.

In comments made during an interview Sunday night on Israeli television, Prime Minister Netanyahu said he was willing to make a partial deal that would secure the release of the 120 hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip, but not put an end to the war.

"No. I am not willing to end the war and leave Hamas intact. I am willing to make a partial deal - this is no secret - to return some of our people, but we are committed to continuing the fight after the pause, but to our goal of destroying Hamas. I am not ready to give up this goal," Mr. Netanyahu declared.

During an interview with Israel's Channel 14 television, Prime Minister Netanyahu said the current phase of the war against Hamas in Gaza is nearing completion and hinted that Israel is getting ready to send more troops to the northern border to deal with the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon.

"Firstly we will do this for the purpose of protection, secondly to return our residents to their homes and if we can we will achieve this goal with political means; if not, we will do it with other means", he said.

Bombing on both sides of the border between Israel and Lebanon continued over the weekend, alongside threats from Israeli officials to approve plans for a military offensive in Lebanon.

US Joint Chiefs of Staff General CQ Brown warned that a possible Israeli military offensive in Lebanon could prompt a response from Iran to defend the militant group Hezbollah and would trigger a wider war that would endanger US troops in region.

General Brown told reporters that the United States will not be able to protect Israel against a wider war with Hezbollah as it managed to help destroy Iran's mid-air missiles during the attack in April. According to him, US forces have a harder time protecting Israel from short-range missiles, with which the Hezbollah group often attacks the Israeli border area.

The escalation of the conflict with Hezbollah is expected to be the topic of talks during the visit that the Israeli Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, is conducting in Washington, where he will meet with senior American officials.

In a preliminary statement, Minister Gallant emphasized that Israel is prepared to act in Gaza, Lebanon and other parts.

Like American officials, European diplomats, who are meeting today in Luxembourg, warned against widening the conflict.

"I am more than worried. Every day the crisis is expanding, every day there are frequent bombings between both sides along the border with Lebanon. Unfortunately, I think we are on the verge of widening the war," said EU Foreign and Security Policy Representative Josep Borrell.

He also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to allow humanitarian aid to enter as Israeli attacks continue, bringing the death toll to 37,400, according to the Hamas-led Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and killed militants.

On Monday, four Palestinians were added to the number of victims killed by an Israeli tank attack in the Bureij refugee camp./ Voa