The possibility that a border dispute between Israel and Lebanon’s most serious militant group, Hezbollah, could escalate into all-out war has set off alarm bells thousands of kilometres away.
The American magazine Politico published the message sent to Hezbollah from Washington on its special reports page, writing that it gave the Lebanese group an unusual warning.
Politico reported in an article titled “US to Hezbollah: Don’t count us out to stop attacks on Israel” that the US government is trying to prevent a larger war in the Middle East.
A person familiar with the talks told the publication that the US message was aimed at encouraging the withdrawal of Iranian-backed groups and de-escalating tensions on the border.
Two U.S. officials who spoke to the magazine said the Lebanese groups should understand that if Hezbollah retaliates, Washington would help defend Israel.
According to Politico, the blunt message delivered to Beirut indicates that most U.S. officials accept the possibility of Israel fighting a major war with Hezbollah in Lebanon within weeks.
“Israel has to do what it has to do,” a Defense Ministry official told the magazine, recalling a visit last week to Tel Aviv and Beirut by U.S. President Joe Biden’s special envoy, Amos Hochstein.
Politico said Washington fears that the border dispute between Israel and Hezbollah could escalate into an all-out war across the region if it gets out of control. Two U.S. officials said the U.S. might even provide direct military assistance if the Iranian-backed group rains missiles on Israeli cities, while Politico also cited warnings sent by Washington to Tel Aviv.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Q. Brown said it may be difficult for the U.S. military to come to Israel’s aid, as it did in the April 13 attack on Iran. Brown said similar assistance would be difficult for Lebanon because it is next door to Israel.
During a visit to Washington, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant met today with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Mr. Blinken urged his Israeli counterpart to avoid further tensions on the Lebanese border.
Israeli media outlet Hayom wrote that the Tel Aviv administration will not allow some 60,000 people displaced from the Lebanese border to return to their homes until the end of summer, that is, on August 31.
The move comes amid growing fears of a possible all-out war between Hezbollah and Israel.
