Middle East - USA fears escalation: concern about war in Lebanon grows
Concern over a war breakout between Israel and the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Lebanon is growing. If there is no agreement on a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas, which is aligned with Hezbollah, it is likely that there will be a large-scale military confrontation between Israel and the militia in the coming weeks, Politico reported, citing US intelligence information.
The US is preparing for this scenario by making plans for the evacuation of its citizens from Lebanon, NBC reported, quoting reliable US sources. On Thursday evening, Hezbollah fired around 35 rockets into northern Israel, the Israeli army reported. The Shia militia described the attack as a response to the killing of one of its fighters hours earlier.
US bracing for escalation
The Pentagon has deployed an additional warship and a marine expeditionary unit to reinforce US troops in the region in the Mediterranean Sea, in preparation for a possible evacuation of American citizens, NBC further reported. The move also serves as a deterrent to prevent the escalation of the conflict, it was stated. US officials are increasingly concerned that Israel may carry out intensive air raids and even a ground offensive in Lebanon in the coming weeks, it was reported.
"Nasrallah's logic is that everything is connected to Gaza and that Israel's shelling will not stop until there is a ceasefire in Gaza," a senior US official told the Wall Street Journal, quoting a senior US official. This logic is rejected. Hezbollah has recently intensified its rocket and drone attacks, increasing pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
Pressure on Netanyahu grows
Some 2000 people protested outside Netanyahu's private villa in Caesarea near Tel Aviv on Thursday evening and demanded steps to release the Hamas-held hostages in Gaza and Netanyahu's resignation, according to the news portal "ynet." They chanted slogans such as "How much more blood will be spilled before you go?" and "Bring the hostages back - and go!" The Islamic Hamas and other extremist groups had attacked southern Israel on October 7 last year, killing over 1200 people and taking over 250 hostages.
Some 120 people are still believed to be in the hands of the terrorists. The Wall Street Journal reported that the number of living hostages could be as low as 50. The indirect negotiations, in which the US, Egypt, and Qatar are mediating, are stuck in a deadlock. Critics accuse Netanyahu of not taking a serious approach to the negotiations to avoid offending his ultra-religious and right-wing coalition partners, whose political survival depends on him. Netanyahu blames the intransigent stance of Hamas for the stalemate in the negotiations.
Devastating destruction in the Lebanon conflict
During this time, there have been daily gunfights between Israel's army and Hezbollah in the border area between Israel and Lebanon since the beginning of the Gaza War nearly nine months ago. The fighting has recently intensified. On both sides, there have been fatalities. On Thursday, according to Israeli reports, the Air Force killed three Hezbollah fighters. In response, the militia fired dozens of rockets into northern Israel. Most of the rockets were intercepted by Israel's army, and no injuries were reported.
Damage has been caused to communities on both sides of the border due to mutual shooting. Approximately 150,000 people have been evacuated or left the combat zone. According to the "Financial Times," Israel's military has reportedly devastated wide areas of southern Lebanon and "created a new reality." Entire city quarters have been leveled to the ground, and farmland has been destroyed, the newspaper reported on Thursday, citing satellite images, government statistics, and conversations with local officials. Near-daily aerial bombardment and artillery fire have made large parts of the five kilometers north of the Blue Line uninhabitable.
Israel demands Hezbollah withdrawal
The Blue Line refers to the demarcation line drawn by the United Nations at the border between the two countries. Following the second Lebanon War in 2006, a buffer zone was established in the south of Lebanon. UN Resolution 1701 prohibited the deployment of the Hezbollah militia south of the Litani River, the border area with Israel. Israeli troops, in turn, were required to withdraw behind the Blue Line. Israel is also demanding that the Hezbollah militia withdraw north of the Litani River, which is approximately 30 kilometers from the border.
The UN Observer Mission UNIFIL, which has monitored the border area between Israel and Lebanon since 1978, has recently expressed great concern about the escalating tensions. The German military is also involved in the UNIFIL mission with up to 300 soldiers. The Bundestag extended the mandate for the UN mission on Thursday. There is no problem with UN peacekeepers, Lebanese forces, or civilians being present there, but the area must be "cleansed" of the presence of Hezbollah, according to a high-ranking Israeli military officer quoted by the "Financial Times."
Hezbollah and Israel warn each other
Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran, is not only the strongest military and political force in Lebanon but also controls the south of the country. "Asking us to withdraw from the south is like asking a fish not to swim in the sea," a Hezbollah fighter was quoted as saying by the newspaper, without naming him. The militia is allied with Hamas but is considered much more powerful. "If the Israelis declare war on Lebanon, the resistance will respond without restrictions, rules, or boundaries," Hezbollah leader Nasrallah warned once again recently.
Israel's Defense Minister Joav Galant warned again during a visit to Washington this week that his country is capable of pushing Lebanon back to the Stone Age in a war with Hezbollah, according to "The Times of Israel" report. However, Galant also emphasized that a diplomatic solution should be preferred. "We don't want war, but we are preparing for every scenario," Galant was further quoted. No Hezbollah troops will be accepted at the border. It is feared that a war could expand into a regional conflict, drawing in the USA. The USA joined a growing list of countries - including Germany - on Thursday, advising their citizens to leave Lebanon due to the risk of war.
- Amidst growing concerns over a potential war between Israel and Hezbollah, the US is making preparations for the evacuation of its citizens from Lebanon.
- If there's no agreement on a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas, a large-scale military confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah is likely.
- The Pentagon has deployed additional forces and resources to the Mediterranean Sea in anticipation of an evacuation and to deter further conflict escalation.
- US officials are worried that Israel may launch intense air raids or carry out a ground offensive in Lebanon in the coming weeks.
- According to a senior US official, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah believes that Israel's shelling will not stop until there's a ceasefire in Gaza.
- Hezbollah has intensified its rocket and drone attacks, increasing pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
- Thousands protested outside Netanyahu's villa, demanding his resignation and the release of hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza.
- The Islamic group Hamas and other extremist groups have attacked southern Israel, causing significant destruction and loss of life.
- The UN Observer Mission UNIFIL, which monitors the border area between Israel and Lebanon, has expressed concern over the escalating tensions and the presence of Hezbollah troops.
- The Financial Times reported that Israel's military has devastated wide areas of southern Lebanon, leaving entire city quarters in ruins and making parts of the area uninhabitable.
- Hezbollah leader Nasrallah warned that if Israel declares war on Lebanon, the resistance will respond without any restrictions, rules, or boundaries.
