US warns Lebanon conflict could turn to regional war

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin tells Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant a regional war would have ‘terrible consequences’ for the Middle East.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (R) welcomes Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to the Pentagon in Washington. Picture: AFP.

The United States has warned Israel conflict with Hezbollah could spark a regional war, as Jerusalem claims it could destroy Hezbollah’s military capabilities in days.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin met his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant at the Pentagon, saying diplomacy is the best option as fears of a major war against Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon have grown after months of cross-border fire.

“Another war between Israel and Hezbollah could easily become a regional war, with terrible consequences for the Middle East,” Austin said. “Diplomacy is by far the best way to prevent more escalation.”

Gallant, speaking at the opening of the meeting with Austin, said that “we are working closely together to achieve an agreement but we must also discuss readiness on every possible scenario.”

The meeting came as former war cabinet member Benny Gantz said theIsraeli Defence Forces could destroy Hezbollah but warned of a “heavy” price to Israel.

“We need to back up our institutions. We need to be ready for major incidents of harm [to the public]. We should try to avoid it, but if we need to do it, we cannot be deterred from it,” Mr Gantz said at a conference in Israel.

“We cannot let Hezbollah keep threats close to the northern border,” he added. “We need to get the [northern] residents back by September 1.”

Israel’s military said last week plans for an offensive in Lebanon were “approved and validated” amid escalating cross-border clashes, but Washington is seeking to lower the temperature and head of f another major Middle East conflict.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (R) meets with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (L) at the Pentagon. Picture: Getty Images via AFP.

In Beirut, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned that “miscalculation” could trigger all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah, and urged “extreme restraint.” Canada’s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly urged her country’s citizens in Lebanon to leave “while they can.”

There was no let-up in Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip and battle against Hamas over the military group’s October 7 attack, amid the siege on the territory’s 2.4 million people.

Palestinian officials said one strike killed 10 members of Qatar-based Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh’s family, including his sister.

Israel’s military did not immediately confirm the strike, which the civil defence agency in Hamas-ruled Gaza said hit the family’s house in the northern Al-Shati refugee camp, leaving some bodies trapped under the rubble.

The military said its forces struck Hamas operatives “inside school compounds” in Al-Shati and another area of northern Gaza overnight, accusing them of involvement in the October 7 attack and “in holding hostages captive.”

Civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Basal told AFP: “There are 10 martyrs and several wounded as a result of the strike, including Zahr Haniyeh, sister of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh.” Haniyeh lost three sons and four grandchildren in a strike in April, when Israel’s military accused them of “terrorist activities.” At the time, the Hamas chief said about 60 of his relatives had died in the Gaza war.

After the latest attack he vowed to “continue on our path with determination.”

AFP