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National security spokesperson John Kirby talks to reporters at a press briefing at the White House in Washington, on September 18. File picture: REUTERS
- Lebanon’s Health Ministry reports over 1,000 killed, 6,000 wounded
- Iran calls for UN Security Council meeting over Israel’s actions
Israel will not be able to safely get people back into their homes in the north of the country by waging an all-out war with Hezbollah or Iran, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said on Sunday.
Israel struck more targets in Lebanon on Sunday, pressing Hezbollah with new attacks after killing the Iran-backed group’s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. Israel’s stated goal is to make its northern areas safe from Hezbollah rocket fire and allow thousands of displaced residents to return.
“An all-out war with Hezbollah, certainly with Iran, is not the way to do that. If you want to get those folks back home safely and sustainably, we believe that a diplomatic path is the right course,” Kirby told CNN. The US is Israel’s longtime ally and biggest arms supplier.
The United States is watching to see what Hezbollah does to try to fill its leadership vacuum “and is continuing to talk to the Israelis about what the right next steps are”, he said.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry says more than 1,000 Lebanese were killed and 6,000 wounded in the past two weeks. The government said a million people – a fifth of the population – had fled their homes.
Iran said on Saturday it would defend its national and security interests but gave no details. It called for the United Nations Security Council to meet over Israel’s actions.
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