UPDATE - US defense chief says diplomacy 'best way to prevent' Israel-Lebanon escalation

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By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Tuesday that diplomacy is "the best way to prevent" an Israel-Lebanon escalation when he met his Israeli counterpart.

Austin said Hezbollah’s attacks threaten to drag the Israeli and Lebanese people into a war and such a war "would be devastating for innocent Israeli and Lebanese civilians".

"Diplomacy is by far the best way to prevent more escalation," said the US defense chief in the meeting with Yoav Gallant at the Pentagon.

He reiterated that the US is "urgently seeking a diplomatic agreement that restores lasting calm to Israel’s northern border and enables civilians to return safely to their homes on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border."

Austin also reiterated that the US will always support Israel's right to defend itself, and ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself.

He told Gallant that Israel must protect Palestinian civilians and also continue to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

In addition, Austin said he remains "extremely concerned" about the attacks by violent extremists against innocent Palestinians in the West Bank.

"So I look forward to discussing how both of our governments (can work) with the Palestinian Authority and our regional partners to increase security in the West Bank and bring stability to Gaza by credible planning for the post-war period, moving on a path towards a two-state solution," said the US defense chief.

"Israelis and Palestinians both have the right to live in dignity," he added.

Gallant, for his part, said Israel and the US must work together to ensure the return of 120 hostages in the hands of Hamas and end Hamas.

"In the north, we are determined to establish security, changing reality on the ground, and bringing our communities safely back home. We are working closely together to achieve an agreement, but we must also discuss readiness for every possible scenario," said the Israeli defense chief.

Gallant also called Iran "the greatest threat to the future of the world and the future of our region," saying that "time is running out."

"Now is the time to realize the commitment of the American administrations over the years to prevent Iran from possessing nuclear weapons," he added.

Tensions have soared along Lebanon's border with Israel amid cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israeli forces as Tel Aviv pressed ahead with a deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 37,600 victims since Oct. 7.

Hezbollah has linked the cessation of its attacks against Israel to the end of Tel Aviv’s onslaught on Gaza.