Following repeated blasts that have claimed lives and injured hundreds in Lebanon, National Security communications adviser John Kirby refuted allegations of U.S. involvement, emphasizing that the incidents were not due to American actions.
Washington, D.C. - The White House has firmly denied any involvement in the series of explosions that have rocked Lebanon since Tuesday, causing numerous casualties and sparking concerns over a potential escalation in regional tensions. National Security communications adviser John Kirby strongly dismissed inquiries about possible U.S. participation in the incidents.
"We were not involved in [Tuesday's] incidents or [Wednesday's] in any way. And I don't have anything more to share," Kirby declared in response to persistent questions regarding the attacks.
U.S. Denies Involvement in Lebanon Device Explosions
His remarks came after a wave of explosions reverberated across Lebanon's capital, Beirut, and other regions. Hezbollah's Al Manar TV attributed the blasts to the detonation of walkie-talkies, resulting in widespread alarm and speculation about the perpetrators.
Wednesday's attacks claimed at least nine lives and injured approximately 300, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. The previous day, explosions involving pagers used by Hezbollah members had already left at least 12 dead, including two children. The cumulative toll of casualties and injuries across both incidents exceeded thousands.
U.S. Denies Involvement in Lebanon Device Explosions
Suspicion has largely centered on Israel, which has been engaged in ongoing skirmishes with Hezbollah since October 8th following a deadly Hamas-led assault on southern Israel. The conflict has led to hundreds of casualties in Lebanon and dozens in Israel, with significant displacement on both sides of the border.
Despite relentless inquiries from reporters, Kirby maintained that the U.S. had no involvement in the attacks and had not been privy to any prior knowledge of them. He reiterated that the U.S. remained committed to finding a diplomatic resolution to the crisis, particularly in Lebanon.
U.S. Denies Involvement in Lebanon Device Explosions
"We want to see the war end. And everything we've been doing since the beginning has been designed to prevent the conflict from escalating," Kirby said. "We still believe that there is a diplomatic path forward, particularly up near Lebanon."
The incidents have heightened concerns that the intermittent clashes between Israel and Hezbollah may spiral into a full-fledged war. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant addressed troops, emphasizing the severity of the situation and demanding courage and perseverance.
"We are at the start of a new phase in the war — it requires courage, determination and perseverance," Gallant said.
While Gallant refrained from directly addressing the explosions, he commended the efforts of Israel's military and security agencies, attributing impressive outcomes to their actions.
Hezbollah, meanwhile, announced three strikes on parts of northern Israel on Wednesday, one of which occurred after the latest round of explosions in Lebanon. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
