The US, Israel’s closest friend, expressed its concern on Tuesday about the scale of Israeli airstrikes in Beirut in recent weeks and warned that rising casualties and fears over more significant hostilities involving Iran could help deepen the plunge.  Agencies report that the air-to-ground bombardment by the Israeli military has already compelled the evacuation of more than a quarter of the population of Lebanon, with troops advancing from the south into southern Lebanon as Israel pushes forward with incursions to push back forces of Hezbollah.

While the West threatens a truce between Israel and Hezbollah, and also in Gaza, the U.S. is still on the support side of Israel, though its objections have surfaced over the intensity of air strikes.  The U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that Washington had conveyed its concerns to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, mainly over the thoroughness of the Beirut bombing campaign.  “We have made it very clear to the government of Israel that we have problems with, and were opposed to, the scope and character of the bombing campaign over the past few weeks in Beirut,” Miller said.

Applying diplomatic pressure, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin addressed a letter to the Israeli officials urging them to take explicit actions toward dealing with the humanitarian situation in Gaza and provide concrete steps that should be taken within 30 days.

The Israeli military campaign against Hezbollah has heightened since the latter crossed borders into Lebanon following its killing of key figures, including longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah.  Defense Forces have been actively operating in Lebanon to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure.

Netanyahu last night refused to agree to a unilateral Israeli ceasefire in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron.  During the Tuesday night call, Netanyahu also expressed surprise over the Lebanese conference, saying it was intended to strip Israel of its right to self-defense.  A separate statement Netanyahu’s office issued said* the state of Israel was established through victory in the War of Independence, not by a vote from the United Nations.

Meanwhile, fighting continues unabated.  Israeli military forces detained Tuesday three members of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan forces and took them into Israel for questioning.  So far, Hezbollah has not commented; however, deputy secretary-general Naim Qassem stated that the group would continue its activities aimed at inflicting ‘pain’ on Israel while publicly endorsing a call for a ceasefire.

The toll from Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon has been heavy, with at least 2,350 reported dead and nearly 11,000 wounded during the past year, Lebanon’s health ministry said.  More than 1.2 million people have been displaced.  Israel reported that at least 50 Israelis – both civilians and soldiers – have been killed since the fighting began.

People are fleeing with almost nothing,” Said Rema Jamous Imseis, director of the U.N refugee agency for the Middle East.  She pointed to the scale of displacement caused by Israeli evacuation orders in southern Lebanon, saying more than a quarter of the country had been affected.

Tensions remain at a fever pitch as Israel continues its military operations, most especially in the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon.  Even U.N. peacekeepers operating In this area have reported being hit by Israeli fire, Further complicating an already fragile situation.

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