Smoke rises from Israeli artillery shelling on Aita al-Shaab, a Lebanese border village with Israel, in south Lebanon, Nov 21, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

BEIRUT - US President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that his country will continue to work closely with partners in the Middle East, including Lebanon, to prevent the ongoing Gaza conflict from expanding.

Biden made the pledge in a letter sent to Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on the occasion of Lebanon's 80th Independence Day, which falls on Nov 22.

The US president also said, "I look forward to working with you in the coming year to shape a safer, more prosperous, and more integrated future for the peoples of the region."

He added that the long-term US-Lebanon relations are "of great importance" in building a better future for the two peoples and the peoples around the world.

In the letter, Biden also extended his best wishes for the anniversary on behalf of the American people.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka called on Tuesday for de-escalation along the Blue Line as hostilities persist between Hezbollah and Israel, reported local media.

Wronecka said in a statement that the past six weeks of clashes along the Blue Line represent the most serious violations of Resolution 1701 since its adoption in 2006, according to L'Orient Today.

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The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon on Tuesday condemned the targeting of journalists and civilians in a recent Israeli strike on southern Lebanon

She highlighted the collective responsibility of the international society to urge both parties to exercise restraint, calling for a return to the full implementation of Resolution 1701, a crucial entry point to realizing the region's peace, security and stability.

Wronecka underlined the severe consequences of the ongoing exchanges of fire on the Israel-Lebanon border, including numerous casualties on both sides, internal displacement of thousands, as well as material and environmental damages. She warned of the danger of miscalculation leading to a broader conflict.

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Also on Tuesday, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Tuesday condemned the targeting of journalists and civilians in a recent Israeli strike on southern Lebanon.

UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said in a statement that the UNIFIL was shocked and saddened to learn that a group of journalists was hit in south Lebanon, while extending condolences to the families and friends of those killed near Tayr Harfa.

An Israeli warplane flies over Rmeish, a Lebanese border village with Israel in south Lebanon, Nov 21, 2023. (PHOTO / AP）

Tenenti emphasized that intentionally targeting journalists and civilians is a violation of international law that may amount to war crimes.

"We continue to urge all parties to respect their safety and avoid striking areas where they may be hurt or killed," said Tenenti.

Two journalists and one civilian were killed on Tuesday morning in Israeli attacks, the National News Agency (NNA) reported.

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Also on Tuesday, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, who was in Belgium for a visit, said his country would file a complaint with the UN Security Council to call for the condemnation of "this heinous crime" of killing journalists, according to the NNA.

The Lebanon-Israel border has been witnessing increased tension for over six weeks after Lebanese armed group Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Shebaa Farms on Oct 8 in support of the Hamas attacks on Israel the previous day. The rocket attacks prompted the Israeli forces to respond by firing heavy artillery toward several areas in southeastern Lebanon.