Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib announced on Tuesday that the number of people displaced due to the escalation between Israel and Hezbollah in the south is approaching half a million.
Bou Habib emphasized that “the United States holds the key to our salvation. The U.S. is the only country that can make a difference in the Middle East.”
He also mentioned that “the Lebanese Prime Minister hopes to meet with U.S. officials in the next couple of days.”
Israeli envoy to the United Nations, Danny Danon, stated on Tuesday that Israel is open to ideas for de-escalating the conflict in Lebanon and reiterated that the country does not wish to launch a ground invasion. This comes after Washington announced that it is exploring some “concrete ideas” with allies and partners.
Danon told reporters, “As we speak, there are significant forces trying to propose ideas, and we are open to that. We do not want to launch any ground invasion anywhere. We prefer a diplomatic solution.”
On the same day, U.S. President Joe Biden called for a diplomatic resolution as Israel continues to strike Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, warning of a “full-scale war” in the region.
In his address to the United Nations General Assembly, Biden stated, “A full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest. Despite the deteriorating situation, a diplomatic solution is still possible.”
