Israel’s defence minister talks tactics in US
As hostility and conflict spread like wildfire across the Middle East with Lebanese militant groups taking shots and feeling the heat from Israel’s wrath, the Israeli defence minister, Yoav Gallant, confided in his US counterpart in planning the next phases of the war in Gaza.
Before Gallant’s visit to Washington on 23rd June, he stated that Israel is “prepared for any action that may be required in Gaza, Lebanon, and in more areas,”, Reuters reported.
The Iran-backed Lebanese militant group, Hezbollah, commenced their attacks on Israel shortly after Hamas made their move on 7th October 2023, and both sides have been exchanging blows ever since.
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Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, declared that the assaults on Israel would not stop until a ceasefire had been reached in Gaza. Last week, he also threatened to strike Cyprus for “opening Cypriot airports and base for the Israeli enemy to target Lebanon,”, which would inevitably expand and escalate the war rapidly, Al Jazeera reported.
After an Israeli strike pronounced the most senior Hezbollah commander dead, Hezbollah has been targeting Israel’s towns and military sites with significant artillery.
A US envoy visited both Israel and Lebanon in an attempt to cool tensions between the two, however, Amos Hochstein was unsuccessful in his intentions.
In fact, some of Israel’s officials, including defence minister Gallant, have created a link between the country’s Rafah offensive and a potential focus on Lebanon.
“The transition to Phase C in Gaza is of great importance. I will discuss this transition with US officials, how it may enable additional things and I know that we will achieve close cooperation with the US on this issue as well,” Gallant revealed in a statement.
As taking on Hezbollah would require much military effort, Israel may have to scale back their Gaza operations to accommodate this option.
Reuters/AJ
