Two US officials spoke about the features of an expected major Israeli military campaign in Lebanon.
The newspaper “Politico” reported that US officials, who did not disclose their identities, believe that the Israeli attacks could be the beginning of a larger military campaign in southern Lebanon.
The two officials told the newspaper: “US officials expect the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah to intensify significantly in the coming days, which could lead to the outbreak of a comprehensive war between the two parties.. The latest analysis from within the Biden administration indicates that it will be difficult for both sides to stop the escalation.”
One of the officials said: “The attacks in Lebanon, specifically in the capital Beirut, will continue. The United States believes that Hezbollah will retaliate against Israel, perhaps through drone attacks.”
In addition, according to the other official, the fighting will also include assassinations of Hezbollah leaders, attacks on weapons depots, and the
party’s communications infrastructure.
The two officials noted that the periodic clashes in northern Israel are unlikely to lead to a direct confrontation with Lebanon, but attacks on Israeli or Lebanese territory are ‘worrying’ and will only increase tensions.
The Israeli army announced on Friday evening the assassination of Ibrahim Akil, the head of Hezbollah’s operations system and the de facto commander of the special Radwan force.
The Lebanese Health Ministry announced that 14 people were killed and 66 others were wounded in the Israeli raid on the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency