Tel Aviv [Israel], June 17: The Israeli military says fighting between Hezbollah and Israeli forces could have serious consequences for the region, while US officials seek to deescalate the situation.
Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari warned that Hezbollah's increasing raids could push all sides to the brink of wider escalation. "This could have catastrophic consequences for Lebanon and the entire region," Mr. Hagari said on June 16.
Reuters reported that Hezbollah last week launched an unprecedented series of missile and drone attacks after eight months of clashes with Israel. Two United Nations officials in Lebanon warned there was an existential risk that miscalculations could push for widespread escalation.
Hezbollah 's firepower decreased on June 16, while Israel on the same day said it had conducted air strikes on the Hezbollah group in southern Lebanon.
The US and France are two intermediary countries promoting an agreement to reduce tensions at the Israel-Lebanon border. Hezbollah affirmed that it will not cease fire until Israel stops its military campaign in the Gaza Strip. On the contrary, Mr. Hagari said that Israel will take necessary measures to protect people, until border security with Lebanon is restored.
A White House official said that Mr. Amos Hochstein, advisor to US President Joe Biden , will come to Israel on June 17 to discuss with Tel Aviv officials a solution to deescalate the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. Axios website quoted well-informed sources as saying that Mr. Hochstein may also go to Beirut city to discuss with Lebanese officials.
Israeli officials said that a high-level Israeli delegation will visit the White House on June 20 to discuss the situation in Lebanon, Gaza and the Iranian nuclear program.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper