Israel prioritizes diplomatic solution to end tensions with Hezbollah

Speaking at a conference in the coastal city of Herzliya, central Israel, Hanegbi said Israel has been discussing with US officials the possibility of reaching a settlement with Hezbollah, after the end of the period of intense fighting in the Gaza Strip. According to the official, US and Israeli officials will continue discussions in the coming weeks, aiming to reach a settlement with Hezbollah to end the current tensions. Hanegbi affirmed that Israel prioritizes diplomatic measures, but can use other measures, if the diplomatic method is not effective.

Earlier, at a meeting in Washington on June 24, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant that the country needed to quickly develop a strong plan after the conflict in the Gaza Strip, while ensuring that tensions with Hezbollah on the northern border did not escalate.

Tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border have been escalating since the conflict between Israel and the Hamas Islamist movement in Gaza broke out in October 2023. Hezbollah has launched several rockets towards Israel in a show of support for the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. In response, the Israeli military has also carried out several airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon.

The shelling between Israel and Hezbollah has increased in recent days, after a senior commander of the group was killed in an Israeli airstrike. The US and other countries are trying to promote diplomatic measures to reduce tensions in the region.