Israel is 'closer to war' with Hezbollah than ever, senior Israeli official says

A high-ranking Israeli official recently stated that Israel is on the brink of a war with Hezbollah and a potential regional conflict. The ongoing skirmishes between Israeli and Hezbollah forces along the Lebanese-Israeli border have resulted in casualties on both sides, with approximately 15 Israelis and 171 Hezbollah members losing their lives, as reported by The Times of Israel. The situation has escalated with the Israel Defense Forces carrying out strikes in southern Lebanon, while tens of thousands of Israeli troops and reservists are stationed in Israel’s north. A considerable number of civilians have evacuated northern Israeli towns and Lebanese residents residing near the border have also fled the area amidst the conflict.
The Israeli official revealed that there was a heated discussion during an October war cabinet meeting, with most ministers advocating for a preemptive strike on Lebanon. However, certain individuals, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, advised against such action. In a recent interview, Gallant emphasized Israel’s efforts to counter Iranian influence, citing Iran’s support for various proxies and its involvement in attacks on Israeli territory.
Maha Yahya, Director of the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center, highlighted the heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, noting that both parties are wary of the potential consequences, including the risk of a wider regional conflict involving other countries.
The Israeli official disclosed that attempts had been made to convey warnings to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah through back channels, cautioning against further provocations and emphasizing the potential for severe retaliation. The official also highlighted Hezbollah’s strategic significance as a deterrent against potential Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
The official expressed hope for U.S. Special Envoy Amos Hochstein to facilitate a resolution through diplomatic channels, contingent on a Gaza cease-fire. Meanwhile, Israeli military operations continue in Gaza, with the objective of pressuring Hamas to release Israeli hostages.
Gallant stressed that Israel’s strategic objectives in Gaza have evolved, shifting focus from targeting Hamas members to advocating for the demilitarization of Hamas and the Gaza Strip. He suggested that achieving this would be crucial to Israel’s long-term security, amid ongoing concerns over the accuracy of casualty figures and reports of civilian casualties in Gaza.
The Israeli official acknowledged a decrease in the intensity of air strikes in the Gaza Strip, while continuing to question the validity of casualty numbers provided by Hamas sources. Recent allegations regarding Israeli actions in Gaza, including the targeting of civilian shelters and the killing of an unarmed individual, have been met with denials and claims of video editing by Israeli authorities.

Author: OpenAI