The United States continues to assess that Israel’s ground operations in Lebanon are “limited,” according to a State Department spokesperson. The term “limited” in this context refers to the distance from the border rather than the number of Israeli troops on the ground.
The State Department spokesperson emphasized that the current ground incursions by Israeli troops have been limited in scope, with operations conducted at a short distance across the border without pushing deep inside Lebanon. However, there is a concern about the potential escalation of these operations into more extensive ground actions.
It was highlighted that Israel's historical pattern of starting with limited ground operations in Lebanon and then expanding them into full-scale operations and occupation is a matter of concern for the United States. The State Department reiterated its opposition to any actions that could lead to a prolonged occupation of Lebanese territory.
The State Department spokesperson mentioned ongoing conversations with the government of Israel to address the evolving situation and the potential political and humanitarian impacts of the military operations in Lebanon. The concern was raised about the displacement of tens of thousands of people from southern Lebanon due to the increasing Israeli military activities.
Overall, the United States is closely monitoring the situation in Lebanon and engaging with all relevant parties to prevent any further escalation of the conflict and to ensure the protection of civilians in the region.
