Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah stir U.S. fears of wider conflict

A barrage of missiles this week exchanged between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon have left U.S. officials increasingly concerned that the escalation could draw the war-torn region into a broader conflict between the U.S. ally and Iranian-backed militia.

Since October 7, the Biden administration has been working furiously behind the scenes to lessen the chances of a conflagration that could attract the US or further endanger US troops in the region of Syria, Iraq and Jordan. Amos Hochstein, a top diplomatic adviser to President Biden, will go to Israel on Monday to work on de-escalating the conflict, according to a US official.

US officials have expressed concern about several scenarios. Some told CBS News that they interpret Israel’s recent deeper attacks inside Lebanese territory as preparing the battlefield for a comprehensive assault by the Israel Defense Forces. Hezbollah responded by launching larger rocket attacks against Israel. These officials are increasingly concerned about the possibility of Israel starting a war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, which it cannot end without American support.

Other U.S. officials told CBS that their seizure is focused on Hezbollah and described a scenario in which the volume of rocket attacks on Israel could result in unintended consequences that trigger an event that Israel feels obligated to respond to and that could then result in an unintentional war. .

Within Israel, the Hezbollah threat has become a major political issue because many Israelis who evacuated their homes in the north of the country remain displaced. Following the October 7 attack carried out by Hamas in Israel and the start of the war in Gaza, many residents of northern Israel and southern Lebanon fled their homes for fear of living in an area that could soon become a camp. of battle.

Increased cross-border exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah make it more difficult for the US to ease tensions in the region, especially if the Biden administration’s efforts to mediate a hostage agreement and ceasefire in the founder of Gaza. The administration views the ceasefire negotiations and tensions between Israel and Hezbollah as intertwined.

A senior Biden administration official told reporters in Italy on Thursday: “The most important thing about the hostage release and the ceasefire agreement that is on the table now is that, if it is reached, it could have an impact In the north. [of Israel]so this is an opportunity for us to fully end this conflict.”

The official also said that as part of any ceasefire agreement, there must be “specific agreements in Lebanon on the border.”

“There must be an agreement that allows Israelis to return to their homes in the north with security guarantees that it will not be Hezbollah’s October 6th… right on the blue line.”

The recent Israeli attack that targeted and killed commander Taleb Abdullah, one of Hezbollah’s most senior members, triggered reprisals. Public mourning events for Abdullah are expected in the coming days.

Unlike Hamas’ surprise attack in October, a possible war with Hezbollah in Lebanon is something the Israeli military has been plotting for years, according to U.S. officials.

Israeli troops in command of the north are training in brigade-sized units but are not yet in a position to launch an attack, a U.S. official said.