U.S. Urges to Prevent Escalation of War Between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon
TL/DR –
The United States is using diplomatic means to prevent a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, worried about the potential for a wider regional conflict involving Iran and the US. The recent conflict between Israel and Hamas has escalated tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, with fear that if Hezbollah continues its attacks, Israel might feel justified in launching a broader offensive. To discourage this, the US has been urging both sides to show restraint, with US officials conveying messages to both Israeli and Hezbollah leaders in an attempt to deescalate the situation.
U.S. Intervention to Avert War Between Israel and Hezbollah
The U.S. is pushing diplomatically to prevent a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, fearing a wider regional conflict involving Iran and the United States. U.S. officials have engaged Israeli counterparts and messaged Hezbollah for de-escalation. Top Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, met Biden administration officials to discuss escalating tensions along Israel’s Lebanon border.
A senior White House official, Amos Hochstein, informally mediated between Israel and Lebanon, warning Iran-backed Hezbollah that the U.S. couldn’t restrain Israel from an all-out war. Israel and Hezbollah, longstanding archrivals, have frequently exchanged fire, intensifying after the Hamas-led attacks on Oct. 7 resulting in a blistering Israeli assault in Gaza.
Current U.S. estimates suggest both Israel and Hezbollah prefer a diplomatic solution. Mr. Gallant confirmed Israel’s readiness to hit hard if further provoked during his Washington visit. “The U.S. priority is de-escalation,” said David Schenker, a former assistant secretary of state.
Risks of war spreading remain high with uncertainties about each party’s true intentions. Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, faces growing pressure to re-establish security in northern Israel, where approximately 60,000 residents have been evacuated due to ongoing Hezbollah attacks.
Washington and experts have potentially underestimated the current Iranian leadership’s risk tolerance warns Suzanne Maloney, director of the foreign policy program at the Brookings Institution. U.S. officials communicate with Hezbollah through Shiite Lebanese politicians since the U.S. designates Hezbollah as a terror group.
In addition to urging restraint, Mr. Hochstein is attempting to persuade Hezbollah to withdraw forces from Israel’s border as stated in a United Nations Security Council resolution. A larger clash between Israel and Lebanon could be devastating, with Hezbollah claiming it could launch 3,000 rockets and missiles a day, potentially overwhelming Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system.
Analysts suggest a cessation of Gaza fighting as the most effective way to defuse Israel-Hezbollah friction. However, a plan to halt fighting endorsed by Mr. Biden is in question due to new demands by Hamas and unclear statements by Mr. Netanyahu.
The welfare of U.S. diplomats and citizens in Beirut is a growing concern for U.S. officials. The State Department recently issued an advisory warning Americans not to travel to Lebanon, emphasizing the inability of Lebanon’s government to guarantee U.S. citizens’ protection from sudden violence outbreaks and armed conflict.
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