Israel prepares for a major and inevitable escalation in Lebanon
Israel is preparing for a significant escalation in Lebanon after stating that Hezbollah continues to build its capabilities in the country, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority.
It added that “Israel presented, on Tuesday, to the American envoy Morgan Ortagus evidence that Hezbollah continues to rebuild its strength in Lebanon, warning that the continuation of these actions would lead to reactions from the Israeli army.”
Ortagus had met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.
The discussions with the American envoy focused on the situation in Lebanon.
Sa’ar said on the platform X: “I was pleased to meet the adviser of the United States Mission to the United Nations and Special Representative for Lebanon, Morgan Ortagus.”
He added: “We had a good discussion about the situation in Lebanon. I stated that the party violating Lebanese sovereignty is Hezbollah. Disarming Hezbollah is essential for Lebanon’s future and for Israel’s security.”
Sa’ar continued: “The United States is our greatest ally, and we will continue our close cooperation.”
According to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority, “at this stage, the United States is trying to calm the situation, but Israel says the escalation is inevitable.”
It also indicated that, “as part of America’s attempt to prevent escalation, the US ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, is expected to arrive in Israel next week.”
It quoted Waltz as saying, during a conference organized by the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom in New York, that the United States will continue its efforts to dismantle Hezbollah.
He added: “They must be disarmed and remain so. It will be difficult and complex. Sometimes we take one step forward and two steps back, but the opportunity is immense.”
Waltz continued: “Israel has the right to defend itself. The president and the administration always want peace, not war, but if firm action must be taken, we have to take it.”
The Israeli Broadcasting Authority stated that Israel had contacted the United States to complain about the Lebanese army’s failure to disarm Hezbollah.
It said: “According to the Israeli message conveyed to the government in Beirut through the Americans, if the Lebanese army does not take effective measures against Hezbollah, the Israeli Air Force will significantly expand the scope of its strikes in Lebanon and will also reach areas that Israel has so far refrained from targeting due to a requirement from the Trump administration.”
Israel’s Channel 13 News reported two days ago: “The deadline set by US President Donald Trump for Hezbollah’s disarmament expires at the end of this month, and on Saturday evening a special meeting was held, chaired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with several senior ministers present, during which the Israeli army presented to the political leadership a plan to increase attacks against Hezbollah.”
It added: “Israel is monitoring Hezbollah’s attempts to smuggle weapons into Lebanon and is preparing with operational plans.”
