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A top US official says they are confident that an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah can be avoided, with the US taking an active role in mediating between Israeli and Lebanese officials.
What’s the deal: Israel’s vow to take “significant” military action against Hezbollah in Lebanon comes in response to a rocket attack on a soccer field that killed 12 children and injured others. Hezbollah has denied involvement, suggesting the attack might be a “staged” event orchestrated by Israel. In contrast, Israeli officials have confirmed that the rocket, which originated from Hezbollah, was Iranian-made and commonly used in Hezbollah’s arsenal.
What the US official is saying: In a phone call with reporters, National Security Coordinator John Kirby said, “Nobody wants a broader war, and I’m confident that we’ll be able to avoid such an outcome. There’s no reason, in our view, that this has to lead to some dramatic escalation, that there’s still time and space for diplomacy. We’ve been in continuous discussions with our Israeli and Lebanese counterparts and the United States will continue to support efforts to reach a diplomatic solution along that Blue Line that will, number one, end these terrible attacks once and for all, and number two, allow Israeli and Lebanese citizens on both sides of the border to safely return to their homes.”
What is Israel going to do?: Although Israel has not explicitly said how they will respond to the attack, the country’s Security Council has suggested it will be “significant.” In recent days, Israel has been deploying additional military assets to its northern border with Lebanon. Additionally, Israeli soldiers who typically share updates on social media have posted cryptic messages indicating that a major response is imminent.
Previous warnings: For months, Israel has demanded that Hezbollah withdraw to the Litani River, warning of military action if these demands are not met. Israel seeks this withdrawal to establish a previous “buffer zone” that would reduce the risk of rocket attacks from southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah has significant control. The Litani River, situated approximately 18 miles north of the Israeli border, was established as a boundary by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which had ended the previous conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
More on Hezbollah: Hezbollah is a prominent player in Lebanon’s political landscape, operating as both a political party and a militant group. It has strong support, particularly among Shia Muslims. Hezbollah holds seats in both the Lebanese Parliament and Cabinet. Some countries classify it as a terrorist organization.
