Israel “ready” to attack Hezbollah amidst ceasefire talks
Israel said it is “ready” to attack Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, and is deciding on an offensive course of action, the military’s chief of staff said on June 4th — though the US reportedly is pressuring Israel to hold off any attack before ceasefire talks on Israel’s war on Gaza conclude, The New Arab and agencies reported.
“We are approaching the point where a decision must be made, and the Israeli army is very prepared for this decision,” Chief of the general staff of Israel Herzi Halevi said. “We have a strong defence and a willingness to attack, and we are approaching a decisive point.”
The US State Department warned of the “dangerous” situation on the Lebanon-Israel border, adding that Washington was “working to contain it.” According to a report by the Israeli Kan broadcaster, the US urged Israel to avoid escalation with Hezbollah before completing a prisoner swap deal with Hamas in Gaza.
This request comes as Washington is “days away from reaching a possible deal” to release captives in Gaza, Kan quoted one of its correspondents as saying.
READ: US seeks UN support of Biden ceasefire proposal
Over the past few months, Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in a series of cross-border strikes that have left many civilians killed and displaced in southern Lebanon. Similarly to Halevi’s remarks, Hezbollah has also said it was “fully prepared” to wage war against Israel.
Far-right Israeli ministers have encouraged the continuance of violence with Hezbollah.
“It is time for Lebanon to burn,” said National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in reaction to recent forest fires throughout northern Israel resulting from airstrikes launched by Hezbollah. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich added that Israel should bomb Beirut, which he dubbed “the capital of terrorism.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed Halevi’s statement on June 5th, saying the Israeli army was “prepared for a very intense operation” along the border.
Though officials in the Israeli war cabinet warned that Netanyahu would be expected to “make difficult decisions,” as reported by Israel’s Channel 13. “A major operation in the north will have serious consequences for our capabilities in Gaza,” an unnamed official reportedly added.
READ: Bernie Sanders to boycott meeting with “war criminal” Netanyahu
Former Israeli defence minister and current war cabinet member Benny Gantz cited September 1st as the date for Israel to allegedly end its hostilities in Gaza. “This will happen either through normalisation or through escalation,” he said, “but it is impossible [for us] to lose another year [living like this].”
He also stressed that Israel should prioritise helping residents displaced Israelis to return home and bringing back hostages held in Gaza. “It won’t be easy, it will cost money, and it will hurt,” he said, “but it is the right thing to do.”
Recently, the United States has put forward an effort to mediate ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Gaza-based group Hamas. US President Joe Biden recently announced his proposal, of which Netanyahu reportedly met with ministers to discuss the details.
Comparatively, France’s foreign minister alleged that Paris has yet to receive a response from Israel regarding its conflict with Hezbollah. “We have had a relatively positive response from the Lebanese,” said Christophe Lemoine, “but I think we have not had any return from Israel at this point.”
The New Arab and agencies
