Marco Rubio also told reporters in New Delhi that “Israel always has a right to protect itself”.
“If Hezbollah is going to launch missiles or launches missiles at them, Israel has every right to respond to that, or to prevent that from happening,” the US secretary of state was quoted as saying.
double quotation markThat’s always been understood. It’s being understood during the ceasefire.”
Israel and Hezbollah have continued trading strikes during the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which began on 16 April and was recently extended by 45 days.
The potential deal between the US and Iran to end their war also reportedly requires Israel to stop its offensive in Lebanon.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Donald Trump had reaffirmed his support for Israel’s right “to defend itself against threats on all fronts, including in Lebanon”.
