The United States is scrambling to prevent a full-blown war between Israel and Lebanon, as tensions soar following a deadly rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 children.
Reuters reports citing sources that the US is leading a diplomatic push to dissuade Israel from targeting Beirut or critical Lebanese infrastructure in retaliation for Saturday’s attack, which Israel blamed on the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. Hezbollah has denied involvement.
Israeli officials, while vowing a harsh response, have indicated a desire to avoid a wider conflict. Two officials told Reuters that Israel is preparing for a limited military operation, possibly lasting several days.
The focus of Washington’s diplomacy has been to convince Tel Aviv to limit its retaliation, Reuters reported citing officials. This includes urging against strikes on densely populated areas like Beirut and its Hezbollah-dominated southern suburbs, as well as key infrastructure.
Lebanese officials, including Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib and Deputy Parliament Speaker Elias Bou Saab, have publicly appealed for restraint and warned of potential consequences for Israel if it targets civilian areas.
However, both acknowledged that an Israeli retaliation is likely. While expecting an Israeli attack, they expressed hope for a limited escalation on both sides.
"Israel will escalate in a limited way and Hezbollah will respond in a limited way â€æ These are the assurances we’ve received," Bou Habib said.
The US, Lebanon, and Israel are engaged in intense diplomatic talks to contain the situation. However, two Western diplomats told Reuters that Israel has not committed to avoiding strikes on Beirut, its suburbs, or civilian targets.
Meanwhile, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that any Israeli attack on Lebanon would have "serious consequences" for the Jewish nation.
Despite the heightened tensions, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby downplayed the risk of all-out war. He also reaffirmed Washington's "ironclad" support for Israel's security against Iran-backed threats, including Hezbollah.
Israel, meanwhile, has vowed a "harsh" response. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "The state of Israel will not and cannot let this pass. Our response will come and it will be harsh."
Israel's security cabinet authorised Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant to decide on the nature and timing of response to the Hezbollah strike.
Gallant told his US counterpart Lloyd Austin that Israel would hold Hezbollah responsible for the deadly attack, sharing evidence that he said implicated the group. Hezbollah has "firmly denied" firing projectiles into the village of Majdal Shams, where the children were killed.
The Golan Heights, seized by Israel from Syria in the 1967 war and later annexed, has been a flashpoint in the region. The latest violence marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
