US President Joe Biden’s administration fears the outbreak of a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah amid the detonation of communications equipment in Lebanon earlier this week and an Israeli airstrike on the southern suburbs of Beirut on Friday, Politico reports, citing unnamed US officials.
According to the publication, officials believe the strikes could serve as the beginning of a broader Israeli military campaign in southern Lebanon.
“US officials expect fighting between Israel and Hezbollah to escalate significantly in the coming days, potentially leading to a full-scale war between the two sides… The latest analysis within the administration (US President) José) Biden shows that it will be difficult for both sides to resort to de-escalation,” —two senior US officials familiar with the discussions told the publication.
An unnamed official told Politico that attacks in Lebanon, specifically in the capital Beirut, will continue, and the US believes Hezbollah will retaliate against Israel, possibly in the form of drone strikes. In addition, according to another unnamed US official, the fighting will also include the assassination of Hezbollah commanders and attacks on weapons depots as well as the movement’s communications infrastructure.
The two unnamed officials noted that the periodic clashes in northern Israel are unlikely to lead to a direct confrontation with Lebanon. However, attacks in Israel or Lebanon are “worrying” and will only lead to increased tension.
