The US demands that Israel minimize civilian casualties in Lebanon.
US President Joe Biden has urged the Israeli Prime Minister to minimize harm to civilians in Lebanon.
According to TASS, a statement from the White House press office said that in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on October 9 (Washington time), US President Joe Biden discussed the need to minimize damage to Lebanese civilians, including in Beirut.
“On the morning of October 9th, President Biden spoke with the Israeli Prime Minister. Vice President Kamala Harris also participated in the conversation. The President reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to Israel’s security in the face of ballistic missile attacks.”
"Regarding Lebanon, the President stressed the need for diplomatic agreements concerning the return of Lebanese and Israeli civilians to their homes on both sides of the Green Line."The Green Line is named after the border between Lebanon and Israel, based on the color of the helmets worn by United Nations peacekeeping forces stationed along it."The president reaffirmed his right to protect his people from Hezbollah, which has launched thousands of rockets into Israel in the past year alone, while emphasizing the need to minimize damage to civilians, particularly in densely populated areas of Beirut," the White House statement said.
According to the statement, regarding the Gaza Strip, the leaders discussed the urgent need to resume diplomatic relations to ensure the release of hostages held by Hamas. President Joe Biden also discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the need to restore access to its northern part, including through the immediate activation of a corridor from Jordan.
US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “agreed to maintain close contact in the coming days, both in person and through their national security aides.”
According to the Axios news portal, the US wants the Israeli attack to be large-scale but "not too disproportionate," as this could lead to further escalation.
Furthermore, recent reports in the American media suggest that the level of US influence over Israel is gradually decreasing, indicating a rift in the alliance.
