A senior American official hinted on Sunday that the Trump administration will support an escalation
By Bernard Moerdler,
A senior American official hinted on Sunday that the Trump administration will support an escalation of Israel's operations against Hezbollah, in the most explicit public US backing for Israeli action in Lebanon since the April 17 ceasefire took effect. The official, speaking to Axios reporter Barak Ravid, stated, "Hezbollah ignored repeated requests to stop firing at Israel, including an ultimatum delivered recently. Israel will never be required to passively absorb attacks on its forces and citizens. This is not the Biden administration."
The official stated that since April 17, Hezbollah has launched more than 1,000 drones and more than 700 rockets in an attempt to sabotage the ongoing negotiations between Lebanon and Israel. "The status quo is not sustainable," the official stated. "Hezbollah is fully responsible for the current situation. It violated the ceasefire on March 2 and is now determined to prevent the Lebanese people from a path to peace and reconstruction."
The official stated that Hezbollah fears the negotiations the Lebanese government is conducting with Israel with US support, and that the talks constitute "an existential threat to Hezbollah." The official stated, "A successful ceasefire led by the Lebanese government would deprive Hezbollah of its power and its narrative."
Topics: Lebanon & Hezbollah, Diplomacy
Reported by Bernard Moerdler for Bernie News Network. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.