Three Democratic senators want answers to Israeli attacks that killed Lebanese forces

Three Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are demanding answers from the Biden administration on Israeli strikes that reportedly killed members of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). In their opinion, attacks could escalate the conflict in the Middle East.

“Reports that Israel is harming LAF forces in its war against Hezbollah contradict U.S. interest in de-escalating violence in the region,” said Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H .) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), wrote in a letter sent Thursday to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Israel stepped up airstrikes in Lebanon in September and later launched a small ground invasion against the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah in the country.

The actions have further heightened tensions in the region – already destabilized by Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza – and led to the deaths of many members of the Lebanese armed forces.

The lawmakers point to the recent incident caused by an Israeli airstrike on October 20 that reportedly killed three Lebanese soldiers who were evacuating wounded Lebanese citizens.

“We are all firmly committed to Israel’s ability to defend itself against external threats from Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran. But the United States is also committed to the Lebanese people to provide humanitarian assistance and to continue to support the LAF,” the letter said, which also called the Lebanese military an important sovereign institution “responsible for promoting “stability in the midst of ongoing crises is crucial.” ”

The letter represents another attempt by Democrats to pressure the administration to pressure Israel to limit its attacks in Lebanon.

This also came as US envoys were in Israel on Thursday to try to secure a ceasefire in both Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

In their letter, Senators Austin and Blinken ask for their assessment of the Lebanese Forces' losses as a result of Israeli military operations – including whether these were Israeli targets and, if so, an operational justification for their singling out.

They also want to know whether Israel communicated the use of U.S. weapons in these operations, what communications Washington had with the Israelis to protest actions that resulted in Lebanese military casualties, and whether Israel is committed to supporting its efforts against Hezbollah to protect Lebanese troops, citizens and international aid workers.

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