The Biden administration is adopting a relatively restrained approach during a period of heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. The U.S. is avoiding extensive crisis diplomacy to prevent potentially worsening the situation further. Recent events include explosions of Hezbollah’s communication devices and an Israeli airstrike targeting a senior Hezbollah figure in Beirut, escalating the risk of full-scale conflict in the region and undermining ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.
Despite two Biden administration officials urging for calm in the region, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government appears to be less receptive to U.S. mediation efforts. Publicly, there has been no confirmed contact between the U.S. and Netanyahu since a senior White House official’s visit to Israel earlier in the week. The delicate stage of Gaza ceasefire negotiations led Secretary of State Antony Blinken to visit only Egypt, as support for a deal in Israel might jeopardize the U.S.-led mediation efforts.
President Joe Biden expressed optimism about reaching a deal in Gaza, emphasizing its importance for regional stability. The White House and State Department have refrained from commenting on the recent Hezbollah device explosions and an airstrike in Beirut that killed a Hezbollah commander and several operatives. Previous U.S. diplomatic efforts have been met with challenges, including inflammatory rhetoric and unexpected attacks from Netanyahu and Hamas, hindering progress towards a truce.
U.S. officials are cautious about taking a public stance either in support or criticism of Israel due to the fragile situation. The administration faces criticism for its unsuccessful efforts to broker a Gaza deal and prevent the conflict from expanding. The U.S. continues to engage with mediators from Qatar and Egypt to formulate a final Gaza proposal for Israel and Hamas, with a commitment to persist in their diplomatic endeavors.
