UPDATE - US urges de-escalation in Middle East amid rising Israel-Hezbollah tensions

​​​​​​​ADDS QUOTES, BACKGROUND

By Rabia Iclal Turan​​​​​​​

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US on Thursday urged all parties to “de-escalate” and stressed the need for a diplomatic resolution as Israel intensified attacks against Lebanon.

“We don't want to see any party escalate this conflict. We think that the best way to solve the very real security challenge that Israel faces is through a diplomatic resolution that would allow thousands of Israeli citizens to return home and allow thousands of Lebanese citizens to return home,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.

Asked if the US will support Israel if the situation in southern Lebanon escalates, Miller responded: “We are committed to the defense of Israel against terrorist organizations that includes Hamas, includes Hezbollah, includes other ‘Iranian proxies.’”

“We will continue to stand by Israel's right to defend itself, but we don't want to see any party escalate this conflict,” he said.

Miller urged Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah to “stop the terrorist attacks across Israel.”

“I guarantee you, if he did that, we would be impressing upon Israel the need to maintain calm on their end. Bottom line is, he hasn't stopped those terrorist attacks,” he said.

“So, as long as Hezbollah is launching terrorist attacks across the border, of course, Israel is going to launch military action to defend itself,” he added.

Asked about children killed in attacks in Lebanon this week, Miller said: "Civilians are never a legitimate target in any type of military or other operation."

In response to a question about the potential effects of the escalation in Lebanon on the Gaza Strip’s cease-fire talks, he said the US continues to push for a cease-fire.

Earlier Thursday, Hezbollah announced drone attacks on military sites in northern Israel, following two days in which wireless communication devices exploded across Lebanon in deadly attacks, and the Israeli army bombarded two towns in southern Lebanon with phosphorus shells.

At least 37 people were killed and nearly 3,000 injured Tuesday and Wednesday in explosions that targeted thousands of wireless communication devices across Lebanon.

There has been no Israeli comment on the blasts, which came amid an escalation in cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah since the start of Israel’s deadly war on Gaza, which has killed nearly 41,300 victims, mostly women and children, following a cross-border attack by Hamas last Oct. 7.

Israeli Defense Minister Gallant announced a "new phase" in its war in the region, hours after the second wave of attacks in Lebanon.

"We are opening a new phase in the war," Gallant said Wednesday in a video on X. “The center of gravity is shifting to the north through the diversion of forces and resources."