White House Highlights Israel's Hezbollah Missile Attack Target Tel Aviv

UNSPLASH/Tabrez Syed White House/ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Hezbollah's attempt to fire ballistic missiles near Tel Aviv was "very concerning".

Israel says it intercepted the Hezbollah missile that marks an unprecedented attack by the militant group that extends deep into Israel's commercial heart.

"Of course this is very concerning for Israel, but also for us, because, as Minister (Antony) Blinken said some time ago, we have really worked hard since the start of this conflict. One of the main areas we are trying to prevent an increase (escalation) is between Israel and Hezbollah along the border with Lebanon," Kirby told Kate Bolduan of CNN, Wednesday, September 25.

Kirby also rejected CNN reports about the Biden administration stopping ceasefire efforts in Gaza and a hostage-taking deal.

Kirby said Israel, according to him, continues to communicate with the United States regarding the Gaza ceasefire.

The proposal submitted is an Israeli proposal. This is one of the proposals submitted by the prime minister and team, and they continue to discuss with us to advance this. I just say, Sinwar (Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar) is the main obstacle," he said.

Sources told CNN earlier that senior US officials had stopped providing a strong push at ceasefire negotiations, after deciding at the moment there was no political will on either side of Hamas or Israel to end the conflict.