The White House reacts strongly to Netanyahu's statement that "Lebanon could be the new Gaza."

The U.S. administration stated that they do not agree with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement that "Lebanon could be a new Gaza" and that they do not want Lebanon to become a new Gaza.

"WE DO NOT AGREE WITH THE THREATENING STATEMENT"

White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre evaluated the current situation regarding Israel's attacks on Lebanon during the daily press briefing. Spokesperson Jean-Pierre noted that they do not agree with Prime Minister Netanyahu's threatening statement that "Lebanon could be like Gaza," saying, "I will speak very clearly on this issue, we cannot and will not see Lebanon turn into another Gaza. This is not something we want to see."

Jean-Pierre emphasized that the suffering in Gaza and Lebanon is increasing and that is why they once again underline the importance of a ceasefire, stating that they continue to work for a ceasefire in the region. She argued that if Hezbollah stops its attacks on Israel, the current Israeli attacks could be prevented, expressing that they are clear about Israel's right to self-defense.

NETANYAHU OPENLY THREATENED THE PEOPLE OF LEBANON

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the people of Lebanon in an English video message, making claims about the current situation. Threatening the people of Lebanon with the destruction and suffering experienced by Palestinians in Gaza, Netanyahu stated, "You have the opportunity to save Lebanon before falling into a long war that will lead to destruction and suffering, as we have seen in Gaza. It does not have to be that way."

2,141 PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN LEBANON

Since October 8, 2023, the Israeli army has continued controlled clashes with Hezbollah and conducted hundreds of airstrikes on southern Lebanese cities, as well as the Bekaa and Baalbek regions, on September 23. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, a total of 2,141 people have died since October 8, 2023, including 104 children and 194 women. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in airstrikes carried out by the Israeli army on Beirut on September 27.

Hezbollah is responding to Israel with rockets and missiles. There have been no significant damages reported in these attacks, which mostly target military bases on the Israeli side. Due to the Israeli bombardment, hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced within the country. While the wave of migration from the southern parts of the country to the capital Beirut and the north continues, it is reported that tens of thousands of people have migrated to Syria.