Biden, Netanyahu discuss US role in case of north escalation: Axios

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Axios
18 Oct 2023 00:40

Axios reported that US President Joe Biden conducted a call to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday to express concern regarding the expansion of the conflict along the Israeli-Lebanese border.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken with the Occupation's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (AFP)

According to Axios on Tuesday, the White House has been discussing and discussing potential US military intervention in case the Palestinian Resistance Hezbollah engages in support of Palestine.

Citing US and Israeli officials, the report stated that US President Joe Biden conducted a call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday to express concern regarding the expansion of the conflict along the Israeli-Lebanese border.

It stated that Biden asked Netanyahu to keep the IOF attacks on Lebanon as contained as possible and warned of repercussions if escalations with Hezbollah occur.

In addition, two US officials noted that Secretary of State Antony Blinken relayed to Arab leaders the US' stance on the matter, and stressed the country's military presence in the region to support "Israel".

Hezbollah, "Israel's" boogie-man

The Israeli Walla! website also reported that the Israeli army began "reinforcing the northern borders with communication systems, focusing on electronic warfare and encrypted communication means, and border protection monitoring systems." This comes amid concerns of a potential Hezbollah attack on the existing systems along the border, similar to incidents occurring on the Gaza border.

According to The Jerusalem Post, citing sources, one factor behind the delay of "Israel's" ground invasion of Gaza has been the concern that Hezbollah is waiting for that moment to open a full battle front with the IOF in the north.

JP stated that the delay was to double-check matters regarding Hezbollah's intentions, as well as the plan to replenish and reinforce the IOF in the north if push comes to shove.

While the US has pledged unconditional support for "Israel" in its aggression against Gaza, it is concerned about the possible repercussions of the ground invasion, the report explains, listing a set of concerns:

- The conflict could snowball into a regional war that would involve other parties, such as the Lebanese Islamic Resistance - Hezbollah;

- The humanitarian toll on Palestinian civilians could subject "Israel" and the US to increased international pressure;

- Exacerbation of the struggle and increased Palestinian casualties could place normalization deals with Arab governments at risk;

- The fate of the captives, which "Israel" seems to have decided to sacrifice as "collateral damage" in its war against Gaza;

- "Israel" has no prospective plan for Gaza beyond their determination to "destroy" Hamas.