Touring the northern Israeli border with Lebanon, Israeli military chief of staff Herzi Halevi met with Northern Command for an assessment of the planned military operation against Lebanon, and told reservists they are “preparing for an offensive in the north.”
Halevi added, “Its objectives are both to restore security to the communities near the Gaza Strip and to bring the hostages back home securely.”
Halevi didn’t elaborate on the specifics or timing of the offensive, but Israeli military brass have made a big deal of planned operations against Lebanon. The military goal has been presented as both moving Hezbollah back from the border and allowing refugees to return to northern Israel.
Israel and Hezbollah have been trading fire since October, and huge numbers of civilians have been displaced on both sides of the border. If anything, the situation has been escalating in recent weeks.
The United States has joined in efforts to prevent an Israeli ground war in Lebanon, and Israeli officials say a deal would involve a “freeze of the situation” and the removal of Hezbollah several kilometers from the border, albeit short of the UN calls to move them north of the Litani River.
Previously Israeli officials have indicated that they were putting deadlines on negotiated settlements for Lebanon. The US has long warned that an offensive would be a mistake, as it would force Israel to fight on multiple fronts at the same time.
Hezbollah has expressed openness to negotiations but conditioned any ceasefire on a similar ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Though efforts have been made toward such a deal, Israel seems determined to continue the Gaza War indefinitely.
In addition to the US, many in the international community are working to try to prevent a Lebanon war. French officials have been making the rounds to the two nations, trying to broker a settlement.
OOOOOOOOoooooooo. Here sums the war with Iran……..!!!!!!!!
Israel has been teasing us action since 2006. So far it’s only been rag tag of cross border kills. Don’t count on it.
The people of the US have funded a grotesque religious state monster. even though their nation is founded on separation of church and state and avoidance of foreign wars.
This is scientific evidence that US society is devolving into barbarism.
Israel is a free,peaceful democracy.
“What are we doing tonight, Bibi”
“What we do every night, Ben-Gvir, try to draw the US into another Middle East War!”
“Narf!!!”
Halevi added, “Its objectives are both to restore security to the communities near the Gaza Strip and to bring the hostages back home securely.”
Always making sure to add the obligatory concern for the hostages while knowing full well that their actions make the safe return of the hostages all that more unlikely.
Since its foundation, the Jewish and total populations of Israel have increased more than tenfold. That is much faster than for any European country. Although that growth has slowed down, it still is by more than 100,000 per year. More territory must therefore be found for new settlements.
Since a significant fraction of that growth is Palestinian, one way to take off pressure is to kick Palestinians out of Israel. Another way is to add territory. Two areas are available: Gaza and Lebanon. Jordan? Out of the question. Biden would have to stop that.
Let Hezbollah just stop firing into Israel,and there will be no war-simple. no ideology,no bugaboos needed.
Contrary to this report, the US is FULLY ON BOARD with a wider war in the Middle East, to include putting boots on the ground which is why the temporary port terminal is being built off Gaza. That includes a war with Hezbollah and it includes a war with Iran. Anyone who believes otherwise is delusional.
Lebanon – Of course — that is where the water is – not in Gaza.