Talks only way out in Lebanon, says US

The US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed that the United States was dedicated to a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon and urged Israel to improve “dire” conditions in Gaza, in a call on Saturday with his Israeli counterpart.

Austin “reiterated US commitment to a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon that allows Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return safely to their homes on both sides of the border” in his call with Israel Katz, according to a Pentagon spokesperson.

Austin also “urged the Government of Israel to continue to take steps to improve the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza and emphasised the US commitment to securing the release of all hostages, including US citizens.”

Two Western diplomatic officials on Saturday described disputed points between Israel and Lebanon in cease-fire negotiations.

The current proposal calls for a two-month cease-fire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hizbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. Thousands more Lebanese army troops would patrol the border area with UN peacekeepers, and an international committee would monitor the deal’s implementation.

The Palestinian death toll from the 13-month-long war surpassed 44,000 this week, according to the Health Ministry.

Agencies