JAKARTA - United States (US) Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin firmly advocated a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called reports of a ceasefire imminent in Lebanon "not true."
"Let me be clear, Israel and Lebanon can choose a different path," Austin told a news conference in London.
"Despite the sharp increase in recent days, diplomatic solutions can still be made," he said.
Austin's comments came after the US and its allies called for a 21-day ceasefire, and Netanyahu said that Israel would continue to fight in full force.
The diplomatic solution, not a military solution, is the only way to ensure that civilians displaced on both sides of the border can eventually return to their homes, Austin said.
Austin also warned no one should try to exploit this crisis or expand this conflict against US forces in the region.
"Make no mistake, the United States is still trying to protect our troops and personnel across the Middle East," Austin said.
He also said a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah would give time to continue working towards a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
British Defense Minister John Healey and Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles voiced their support for the proposed 21-day ceasefire. Healey said Israel had said it was ready to accept the proposal.
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