U.S. officials trying to prevent a bigger Middle East war are issuing an unusual warning to Hezbollah: Don’t assume that Washington can stop Israel from attacking you.

The American message is designed to get the Lebanese-based Shiite militia to back down and de-escalate the brewing crisis along the Israeli-Lebanese border, a person familiar with the discussions said.

The blunt message comes as many U.S. officials appear resigned to the possibility that Israel will make a major move against Hezbollah inside Lebanon in the coming weeks.

Two U.S. officials told POLITICO that the militia needs to also understand that Washington will help Israel defend itself if Hezbollah retaliates. They stressed that the militant group should not count on America to act as a brake on Israeli decision-making.

The message is being conveyed indirectly, the person said; the U.S. doesn’t engage Hezbollah one-on-one because it is a designated terrorist organization, and it relies on public communications or intermediaries.

U.S. special envoy Amos Hochstein and other American officials have traveled to the region in recent days to rein in both sides, even as there’s a growing sense in Washington and beyond that escalation is inevitable.

“Israel’s gotta do what they gotta do,” a Defense Department official said, having been granted anonymity, like others, to speak frankly.

Israel and Hezbollah have been clashing at a low level for months, with exchanges of fire and targeted killings that arose when Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7 and spurred an ongoing Israeli retaliation in the Gaza Strip. The Hezbollah-Israel clashes have spiraled to new heights in recent weeks as Israel’s war against Hamas has fallen in intensity.

U.S. officials fear that a full-blown battle between Israel and Hezbollah, which, like Hamas, is backed by Iran, but is stronger and better armed, could tip the region into an all-out war. That’s a scenario they’ve sought to prevent since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last October.

“We think there ought to be a diplomatic resolution to the conflict across the Israel-Lebanon border that is keeping tens of thousands of families on each side of the border from returning to their homes,” Matthew Miller, the State Department spokesperson, told reporters Monday.

Spokespeople for the State Department and White House National Security Council did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the messaging to Hezbollah.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is in Washington for talks with aides to President Joe Biden, and much of the discussion is likely to focus on the crisis along the Israeli-Lebanese border.

The two U.S. officials said the Biden administration will help Israel defend itself in any scenario with Hezbollah, including everything from replenishing Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system to providing intelligence. If Israel comes under severe duress — with Hezbollah raining rockets and missiles on its major cities, for instance — the U.S. may move toward more direct military support, the officials said.

Israeli leaders do not appear to have made a final decision on what to do, though none seems to want an all-out war, and neither does Iran, the two U.S. officials said.

When it comes to discussions with the Israelis, “the focus is on injecting reality into Bibi’s calculations,” a separate senior U.S. official said, using the nickname for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The U.S. intelligence community believes that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah doesn’t want a war, but assesses that the risk of one is heightened this month as is the risk of a miscalculation on either side, according to another senior U.S. official.

Israel’s military forces are weary after months of war in Gaza, where fighting is far from finished, but in conversations with U.S. officials, Israeli leaders have made compelling arguments for why they need to strike Hezbollah sooner rather than later.

For example: Moves by Hezbollah in the immediate wake of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack led Israel to evacuate many communities near its border with Lebanon. The loss of that population has undermined the integrity of Israel’s control along that border, a sensitive issue for a country worried about territorial security.

Israel wants the displaced families to be able to return home before the fall; otherwise, they will likely enroll their children in schools where they are now, putting down new roots.

But if Israel strikes Hezbollah, and the militant group fights back in a way that forces even more rounds of fighting, additional Israelis in the area could be displaced.

The Israelis have argued that if the U.S. publicly supports them in an operation — even just backing the threat — then Hezbollah may be more likely to back down or agree to a cease-fire now.

Hochstein, the U.S. envoy, believes he’s making inroads with the Israelis on de-escalating the situation, a person briefed on the situation said. And it’s not unprecedented for the U.S. to successfully hold back an Israeli attack against Hezbollah. U.S. officials talked Israeli leaders out of a major strike against the group in the days immediately after Oct. 7.

This time, however, the Israelis appear more dug in, though it’s possible that the U.S. could affect what type and size of operation they undertake. Past U.S. pressure on Israel managed to affect the scope of some of its other actions, such as in the Gazan city of Rafah or against Iran.

It’s not clear exactly what options Israel is considering against Hezbollah, which is not only heavily armed but also wields political influence in Lebanon. An air operation could help deter the group, while a ground invasion could establish a buffer zone. A combination also is possible.

But Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. C.Q. Brown also had a warning for Israel.

If a broader conflict erupts between Israel and Hezbollah, it may be more difficult for the U.S. to help defend Israel compared with the April 13 missile barrage from Iran, he told reporters traveling with him on Sunday.

That’s because Hezbollah is geographically closer than Iran, therefore an attack requires a shorter response time. Hezbollah also has more rockets than Hamas.

Kingdavid579:
Is there any Islamic group promoting peace and unity in the world at all?

Since I grew up it's been all about terror associated with Islam

Kingdavid579:
Is there any Islamic group promoting peace and unity in the world at all?

Since I grew up it's been all about terror associated with Islam

SpatialKing:


None oh...
Even Nigeria
You must first please the Muslims in Nigeria before anyone or any else, they get away with anything...

madridguy:
So the Muslim invaded Afghanistan?
Iraq? And even Libya which Nigeria are other Africa countries are still suffering the aftermath till this moment.

US and UK are the biggest terrorists in the whole world. They must cause trouble to sell weapons.

Blood01Diamond:


Is normal for a Muslim to talk this way ..

They live and bath in lies

madridguy:
Why not counter me with fact instead of ranting.

Blood01Diamond:


Is normal for a Muslim to talk this way ..

They live and bath in lies

madridguy:
Which of the US officials should we now take serious

Commander of the US army, General Charles Brown:

"We will not be able to defend Israel in war with Hezbollah."

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff warned that the US military would have difficulty protecting Israel in the event of a large-scale military confrontation with Hezbollah

According to General Brown, Iran is increasingly inclined to enter into a direct war against Israel in the event that Tehran feels that Hezbollah is under a real threat • Report: Alfi Militia fighters will arrive in Lebanon in the event of an all-out war.

General Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the US Army, said that the chances are increasing that Iran will choose to enter into a direct war with Israel in the event of a war between the IDF and Hezbollah.

According to him, Iran is more and more inclined to join the war if they fear that Hezbollah is threatened and in danger.

These words add to previous assessments that Iran would be willing to take risks to ensure the survival of Hezbollah, which is considered its most important force in the Middle East.

Source: N12

BentizilL0:

Instead of you to counter him, you're writing off-point..

Is it Muslim that invade Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya? Answer like a sane man..

And also before you come here to shout Muslim, I'm a Christian.

madridguy:
So the Muslim invaded Afghanistan?
Iraq? And even Libya which Nigeria are other Africa countries are still suffering the aftermath till this moment.

US and UK are the biggest terrorists in the whole world. They must cause trouble to sell weapons.

RepoMan007:
No, Christian's bombed the twin tower and many more. Idiotic thing.

madridguy:
You need to google " The 5 dancing Israelis " to know the people behind the 9/11 attack.

madridguy:
You need to google " The 5 dancing Israelis " to know the people behind the 9/11 attack.

madridguy:
So the Muslim invaded Afghanistan?
Iraq? And even Libya which Nigeria are other Africa countries are still suffering the aftermath till this moment.

US and UK are the biggest terrorists in the whole world. They must cause trouble to sell weapons.

madridguy:
So the Muslim invaded Afghanistan?
Iraq? And even Libya which Nigeria are other Africa countries are still suffering the aftermath till this moment.

US and UK are the biggest terrorists in the whole world. They must cause trouble to sell weapons.