WASHINGTON — While recognizing Israel’s right to target Hezbollah, the United States urged caution in operations that affect civilian areas in Lebanon, a State Department spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Asked about an Israeli airstrike that reportedly destroyed the municipal headquarters in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, killing 16 people including the mayor, spokesperson Matthew Miller declined to comment specifically on the incident. However, he stated, “We don’t want to see civilian buildings destroyed.”
Miller acknowledged that Hezbollah often operates within civilian structures. “We understand that Hezbollah sometimes hides under civilian homes and within them, using these areas for rockets and other weapons,” he said.
“Israel has the right to pursue legitimate targets,” he added, “but it must do so in a way that protects civilian infrastructure and safeguards civilians.”
