The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) posted a statement on its X account on June 18 saying that top commanders had signed off on battle plans for an offensive in Lebanon. “Decisions were taken on the continuation of increasing the readiness of troops in the field,” it added.
Following the Operation Al-Aqsa Flood attack on Oct. 7 launched by Hamas, the IDF began tit-for-tat raids along the Israel-Lebanon border. Both sides have escalated their operations as the conflict has ground on, with Israel carrying out assassinations and strikes deeper inside Lebanon in recent weeks. In response, Hezbollah has launched larger missile volleys at Israel. (Related: Israel preparing for “mass burials” ahead of impending offensive in Lebanon.)
But Israel’s declaration of a potential war with Lebanon has become a concern for Washington, which now seeks to prevent hostilities from expanding. According to U.S. officials, the increased fighting has the White House concerned that Tel Aviv will drag Washington into a wider war in the Middle East.
Deputy Assistant to the President Amos Hochstein was sent to Tel Aviv and Beirut to try to quell the tensions. Unfortunately, he failed to find any practical solution to the violence that has killed nearly 500 in Lebanon and 26 in Israel in recent months. Hochstein suggested that once a ceasefire is achieved in Gaza, then fighting would fizzle out on Israel’s northern border.
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But even this prospect appears to be dim, as President Joe Biden himself admitted that a ceasefire deal in Gaza is unlikely to be reached anytime soon. Additionally, a senior Israeli official told the Hebrew daily newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth that the IDF plans to continue operations in Gaza after Rafah is destroyed.
Nasrallah: Israel should be afraid of all-out war
Earlier, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz had suggested that a serious conflict with Hezbollah was imminent after the group released surveillance footage of key Israeli infrastructure and military sites. He warned that such a conflict would severely impact both Hezbollah and Lebanon, but not without warning that Israel would also pay a significant price.
Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah was unfazed at the IDF’s announcement. He instead issued a stern counter-warning to Israel, threatening a war with “no restraint and no rules and no ceilings” if Tel Aviv launches a major offensive against Lebanon. According to the cleric, threats from the Jewish nation do not intimidate Hezbollah – and it is Israel who should be scared.
The head of Hezbollah highlighted the group’s enhanced military capabilities, including new weapons and an abundance of locally manufactured drones, asserting that the group is prepared for any potential conflict. He suggested that Hezbollah might even send ground forces into Israeli territory if a war is imposed on Lebanon.
The Iran-aligned Lebanese organization began attacking military bases in northern Israel following the outbreak of the war on Gaza on Oct. 7, positioning itself as a “support front” for Palestinian groups. Nasrallah emphasized that the Lebanese front is crucial in diverting Israeli military resources from Gaza.
Additionally, Nasrallah issued a warning to Cyprus, alleging that Israel is conducting military exercises there and planning to use Cypriot airports and bases for military purposes in the event of an attack on its infrastructure. He warned that if Cyprus becomes involved, it would be treated as part of the war. In response, Cypriot officials denied any involvement in military operations and maintained that their relations with Lebanon remain excellent.
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