The US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III issued a statement on Saturday condemning the recent attacks against Israel that killed at least 100 people and injured dozens more. He said he was closely monitoring developments in Israel and reaffirmed the US commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself.
“Our commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself remains unwavering, and I extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this abhorrent attack on civilians,” Austin said in the statement.
He added that the Department of Defense would work to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself and protect civilians from indiscriminate violence and terrorism.
The statement came after a barrage of rockets and missiles was launched from Gaza and Lebanon towards Israel on Thursday, triggering air raid sirens and forcing thousands of Israelis to seek shelter. The Israeli military said it intercepted most of the projectiles, but some hit residential areas, causing casualties and damage.
The attacks were claimed by Hamas, the Islamist group that controls Gaza, and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia that operates in Lebanon. Both groups said they were retaliating for Israeli airstrikes on their positions in recent days.
Israel responded with more airstrikes on Gaza and Lebanon, targeting what it said were rocket launchers, weapons depots, and militant bases. It also blamed Iran for orchestrating the attacks and vowed to defend itself against any threats.
The escalation of violence has raised fears of a wider conflict in the region, as tensions have been high between Israel and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program and its support for armed groups across the Middle East.
The US, which is a close ally of Israel and a mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has been trying to de-escalate the situation and restore calm. President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday and expressed his support for Israel’s security and self-defense. He also urged both sides to avoid civilian casualties and pursue a diplomatic path to resolve their differences.
The UN Security Council also held an emergency meeting on Saturday to discuss the crisis and called for an immediate end to the hostilities. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was deeply concerned by the situation and appealed for restraint from all parties.
(With inpuits from agencies)
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