U.S. Defense Secretary Urges Israel to Scale Back Attacks in Beirut Area – Lloyd J. Austin lamented that civilian casualties during Israel's war in Lebanon were far too high

“U.S. Defense Secretary Urges Israel to Scale Back Attacks in Beirut Area – Lloyd J. Austin lamented that civilian casualties during Israel's war in Lebanon were “far too high,” Eric Schmitt (New York Times 10/19/2024)

Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said on Saturday that the number of civilian casualties in Lebanon was “far too high” and that he would “like to see Israel scale back some of the strikes it’s taking, especially in and around Beirut.”

“Mr. Austin is the most senior U.S. official to make that point publicly and in such strong language. He also blamed Hezbollah for hiding it’s headquarters, rockets and missiles that Israel is attacking among the civilian population.”

“Earlier this week, Lebanon’s caretaker prime minster, Najib Mikati, said that his government had received “a sort of guarantee” from the Biden administration that Israel would scale back its attacks on Beirut. The White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, affirmed on Wednesday that the Biden administration had told Israel that it opposed “near-daily strikes” in “densely populated areas of Beirut.”

“We also understand that what they’re conducting – the operations that they’re conducting to destroy Hezbollah infrastructure – is targeted,” Ms. Jean-Pierre said. She added that it was “critical that the operations be conducted in a way” that would not threaten the lives of civilians.”

“Israel had appeared to limit strikes in and around Lebanon’s capital after Ms. Jean-Pierre’s comments, but on Saturday, the Israel military struck in the Dahiya, the densely packed urban area near Beirut where Hezbollah holds sway. The attacks appeared to be the heaviest bombardment it the area in days.”

“After a call with Mr. Austin on Saturday, Israel’s defense minister, Yoav Gallant, said in a statement that Israeli forces are committed “to mitigating harm” to both Lebanese civilians and to U.N. peacekeeping troops stationed in the country’s south.”

“Speaking to reporters traveling with him after a security meeting of the Group of 7 in Naples, Italy, Mr. Austin also said “things are being done” to reverse a sharp decline in humanitarian aid to Gaza….” “We need to make sure these civilians in Gaza are getting what they need to survive.”

I thank President Biden, Defense Secretary Austin and the Biden Team for doing all they can to protect Lebanese and Palestinian civilians while the Israeli government is working to destroy terrorist organizations Hamas and Hezbollah. Anyone who’s been under attack knows how terrifying it is.