Biden Administration Focused on Reducing Tensions Amid Israel-Hezbollah Escalation

Washington: Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a senior US State Department official stated that Washington does not support the escalation across the border and is discussing "concrete ideas" with allies and partners to prevent the war from broadening.

"I can't recall, at least in recent memory, a period in which an escalation or intensification led to a fundamental de-escalation and led to profound stabilization of the situation," the official said, speaking to reporters in New York on condition of anonymity.

Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets on Monday marked Lebanon's deadliest day in decades, killing 492 people and displacing tens of thousands, according to authorities. Israeli officials claim the increased airstrikes are aimed at pressuring Hezbollah into agreeing to a diplomatic solution. However, the U.S. official made it clear that President Joe Biden's administration is focused on "reducing tensions ... and breaking the cycle of strike-counterstrike."

When asked if this stance differs from Israel’s approach, the official nodded, indicating a divergence of views. The escalating conflict along Israel’s northern border is a primary concern for Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the U.N. General Assembly this week, with Washington proposing "concrete ideas" to find an “off ramp” to the tensions.

"It's an evolution of those discussions on which we're trying to base some practical, concrete steps that will have good chances of reducing tensions and actually getting some traction," the official added.

In response to whether the US believes Israel is preparing for a ground invasion of Lebanon, the official declined to give a definitive answer but said, "We obviously do not believe that a ground invasion of Lebanon is going to contribute to reducing tensions in the region."