05:43Secretary of State Antony Blinken denied any US involvement in the deadly Lebanon pager blasts on Wednesday, speaking in Cairo at talks with Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aty.
"The United States did not know about nor was it involved in these incidents, and we're still gathering the information and gathering the facts," he said. "Broadly speaking, we've been very clear, and we remain clear about the importance of all parties avoiding any steps that could further escalate the conflict that we're trying to resolve in Gaza to see it spread to other fronts. It's clearly not in the interest of anyone involved to see that happen.”
His Egyptian counterpart added that "what happened yesterday in Lebanon, like any escalation, certainly hinders and puts obstacles in the way of reaching an agreement for a ceasefire and a deal that ensures the release of hostages and prisoners.”
Blinken also said that he and allies were focused on getting a Gaza ceasefire deal 'over the finish line'.
At time of publication, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported at least 12 people had been killed and around 2,800 injured in the mass pager explosions.
Hezbollah described it as a 'criminal aggression' by Israel, confirming that the devices belonged to "employees of various Hezbollah units and institutions", and said that it would get 'retribution'. Israel had not commented at time of publication.
Cross-border clashes are ongoing between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, as well as other Lebanese and Palestinian factions, and have intensified since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
'We're still gathering information' - Blinken denies US involvement in Lebanon pager blasts, warns against further escalation
Secretary of State Antony Blinken denied any US involvement in the deadly Lebanon pager blasts on Wednesday, speaking in Cairo at talks with Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aty.
"The United States did not know about nor was it involved in these incidents, and we're still gathering the information and gathering the facts," he said. "Broadly speaking, we've been very clear, and we remain clear about the importance of all parties avoiding any steps that could further escalate the conflict that we're trying to resolve in Gaza to see it spread to other fronts. It's clearly not in the interest of anyone involved to see that happen.”
His Egyptian counterpart added that "what happened yesterday in Lebanon, like any escalation, certainly hinders and puts obstacles in the way of reaching an agreement for a ceasefire and a deal that ensures the release of hostages and prisoners.”
Blinken also said that he and allies were focused on getting a Gaza ceasefire deal 'over the finish line'.
At time of publication, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported at least 12 people had been killed and around 2,800 injured in the mass pager explosions.
Hezbollah described it as a 'criminal aggression' by Israel, confirming that the devices belonged to "employees of various Hezbollah units and institutions", and said that it would get 'retribution'. Israel had not commented at time of publication.
Cross-border clashes are ongoing between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, as well as other Lebanese and Palestinian factions, and have intensified since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken denied any US involvement in the deadly Lebanon pager blasts on Wednesday, speaking in Cairo at talks with Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aty.
"The United States did not know about nor was it involved in these incidents, and we're still gathering the information and gathering the facts," he said. "Broadly speaking, we've been very clear, and we remain clear about the importance of all parties avoiding any steps that could further escalate the conflict that we're trying to resolve in Gaza to see it spread to other fronts. It's clearly not in the interest of anyone involved to see that happen.”
His Egyptian counterpart added that "what happened yesterday in Lebanon, like any escalation, certainly hinders and puts obstacles in the way of reaching an agreement for a ceasefire and a deal that ensures the release of hostages and prisoners.”
Blinken also said that he and allies were focused on getting a Gaza ceasefire deal 'over the finish line'.
At time of publication, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported at least 12 people had been killed and around 2,800 injured in the mass pager explosions.
Hezbollah described it as a 'criminal aggression' by Israel, confirming that the devices belonged to "employees of various Hezbollah units and institutions", and said that it would get 'retribution'. Israel had not commented at time of publication.
Cross-border clashes are ongoing between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, as well as other Lebanese and Palestinian factions, and have intensified since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.