Blinken, urgent calls for a solution to the conflict in Lebanon

2024-10-25 21:30:55, Kosova & Bota CNA

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said today that there is an urgent need to find a diplomatic solution to end the conflict in Lebanon between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group, calling for the protection of civilians.

He made the comments as an Israeli attack in Gaza killed 38 people and another in southern Lebanon killed three journalists from media outlets considered close to Hezbollah.

After efforts this week to advance Gaza ceasefire negotiations, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Arab leaders in London on Friday, calling for a swift diplomatic solution to end the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

"It is very important that we move towards a diplomatic solution, ensure the proper support for the full implementation of Resolution 1701. And the sooner we do so, the sooner we will reach a solution. In the meantime, we want to see serious efforts to protect civilians", declared Secretary Blinken.

Thirty-eight people were killed in an Israeli strike in Khan Younis, where people have been queuing for bread in recent days outside the city's only bakery still working, according to Gaza health officials. Another Israeli attack in southern Lebanon on Friday killed three journalists who worked for media outlets considered close to Hezbollah.

The Israeli army had not warned residents before the attack.

During the bilateral meeting, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told Secretary Blinken that Israel is conducting a campaign of ethnic cleansing in northern Gaza.

"The humanitarian situation is very serious. We are following the situation in the northern part of Gaza, where we are now seeing ethnic cleansing taking place, which must be stopped. In Lebanon, the government of Lebanon is clear now. It wants the implementation of Resolution 1701; this resolution must be implemented and save hundreds of thousands of lives," he said.

In recent weeks, the Israeli army has intensified its military campaign and placed under curfew several parts of northern Gaza, including hospitals and refugee shelters, and has ordered the residents of this part to move to the southern part of this territory, according to doctors and residents in this area. area.

The operation, according to Israeli officials, is aimed at preventing the consolidation of Hamas militants and has intensified since the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinuar despite continued calls from Western countries, including the United States, to end the war.

The talks in London are being held as Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi said Thursday that he hoped Israel's war against Hezbollah would end soon.

"In the north, there is a possibility of a quick conclusion. We have completely dismantled Hezbollah's high chain of command," he said.

Meanwhile, Egyptian security officials met a Hamas delegation in Cairo as part of efforts to restart negotiations, according to Egyptian media reports.

Israel's offensive in Gaza, sparked by a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 that left 1,200 dead and 250 hostages, has left more than 42,000 Palestinians dead, while fighting with Hezbollah in Lebanon over the past year has left more than 2,500 dead. killed and 12 thousand injured./ VOA