2024-09-27 20:31:31
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said today that the US would continue to provide military aid to Israel, rejecting the idea of ”red lines” in this regard, although he warned that a full-scale conflict between Israel and the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah would be devastating, reported Reuters, quoted by BTA.
Israel has not responded to calls from the international community to end firefights with the Iran-backed movement and continues to apply pressure with strikes that have killed hundreds of people in Lebanon and raised fears of a regional war, the agency said.
Asked about “red lines” in US support for Israel, Austin told reporters that the US would not deviate from its commitment to help Israel’s self-defense. He reiterated calls made by the US so far for a ceasefire and a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
“From the very beginning we have been committed to supporting Israel, to supplying what the Israelis need to protect their inviolable territory, that has not changed and will not change in the future,” Austin said after a meeting with ministers of the defense of Great Britain and Australia – John Healy and Richard Marles, in the British capital London.
Israel announced today that it has secured an $8.7 billion aid package from the United States for its ongoing military operations and to maintain a military advantage in the region.
Austin indicated that there was a danger of an all-out war between Hezbollah and Israel, but added that a diplomatic solution to the conflict was still possible.
“We are currently facing the risk of total war. Another full-scale war would be devastating for both Israel and Lebanon,” the US defense secretary said.
“So let me be clear – Israel and Lebanon may choose a different path, but despite the sharp escalation of tensions in recent days, a diplomatic solution is still possible,” he added.
Austin also said that the fastest way for Israel to achieve its stated goal of returning its citizens displaced from northern Israel due to Hezbollah shelling of their homes is through diplomacy.
Regarding the allocated American financial aid to Israel, the Israeli Ministry of Defense said that $3.5 billion of it will be allocated to the purchase of military materials and equipment, $5.2 billion – to improve Israel’s air defense systems, including anti-missile shields, and for a state-of-the-art laser system, reported France Press.