2024-03-01 09:31:58
Lara Yazbek
Central- Warnings of an Israeli war on Lebanon are growing. These external warnings have been repeated since last October 7… However, given the size, form and locations of the Israeli strikes in recent weeks, as they pursued Hezbollah from the south to Baalbek all the way to Qusayr in Syria… they take on a new dimension indicating that there is an imminent military order that may occur. Lebanon is witnessing it, regardless of the fate of the ongoing contacts to develop a truce in Gaza.
In this context, an American position emerged yesterday, as senior officials in the US administration and officials familiar with intelligence information revealed that the administration of US President Joe Biden and intelligence officials are concerned regarding Israeli plans for a ground incursion into Lebanon that might begin in the coming months if diplomatic efforts fail. An informed American official told CNN that the possible Israeli incursion may take place early next summer. He also pointed out that “the administration is working on the assumption that an Israeli military operation will occur in the coming months.” He continued, “The incursion will not necessarily happen in the next few weeks, but perhaps later this spring.” In addition, he added that an Israeli military operation had become a clear possibility.
In addition to this “new” talk regarding a possible ground incursion, two UN warnings were recorded within two days. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said on Tuesday that the latest escalation in the exchange of fire between Israel and Hezbollah would jeopardize the political solution to the conflict. The UNIFIL force said that the past few days have witnessed a “worrying shift” in the exchange of fire across the border between Israel and Lebanon, pointing to the expansion and intensification of strikes. On Wednesday, UNIFIL expressed its “deep concern” regarding developments on the ground on the southern border.
There is a big race today between diplomatic contacts on the one hand, and the war that the Israelis are threatening, on the other hand. According to what diplomatic sources told Al-Markazia, if Tel Aviv was willing to accept a truce in Gaza, it would insist on waging a war once morest Hezbollah, in order to remove it from its borders. The Israeli government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu does not seem to be keeping up with Washington in its demand not to expand the war, especially since the Biden administration may not continue to rule, according to Israeli sensitivities. So why listen to what it wants?
Is war coming to Lebanon, and has what was written by Israel been written? Or will Washington, along with the international community, be able to keep this cup away from Lebanon, through some settlement, similar to the settlement of maritime border demarcation?
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#war #Lebanon #inevitable
