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Gallant advises cabinet to avoid war with Lebanon: Israeli media

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
29 Jun 2024 20:04
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According to Israeli media, everyone in the cabinet now believes, except for Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, that "war can ultimately be avoided and arrangements reached."

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Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant meets with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon, on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Washington. (AP)

Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant attempted to find a path to "de-escalation with Lebanon" during a cabinet meeting but failed to convince Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israeli media reported on Saturday.

The media explained that during deliberations in the cabinet, Gallant detailed the discussions that took place during his visit to the United States.

They indicated that Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed that "if it is possible to prevent war with Lebanon through arrangements, that would be good."

Israeli media reported that Ben-Gvir "believes that there should be a war regardless," and Dermer explained to him that even if there is a war in Lebanon, it will "eventually end with arrangements."

The Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister also expressed his support for pursuing arrangements that would prevent war with Lebanon.

According to Israeli media, everyone in the cabinet, except for Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, now believes that "war can ultimately be avoided and arrangements reached."

In a recent visit to the United States, Gallant engaged in discussions with American officials on critical matters concerning the ongoing wars the Israeli occupation is waging, particularly focusing on the major fronts in Gaza and Lebanon.

According to a report by The New York Times, American officials noted a significant shift in Gallant's stance on what he previously termed the "destruction of Hamas and Hezbollah."

Initially, following the Palestinian Resistance's Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7, 2023, Gallant's position was that "Israel should have responded by trying to destroy both Hamas and Hezbollah." However, his view has evolved, now suggesting that "opening a new front would be undesirable."

The newspaper highlighted that US officials believe the Israeli government is divided over the "wisdom of opening a larger front with Hezbollah in the north."

The New York Times also mentioned that US officials have expressed that halting the fighting in Gaza would be the safest way to "defuse friction between Israel and Hezbollah."

Israeli attack into Lebanon risks regional war

In a meeting at the Pentagon, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Gallant that diplomacy is the best choice as worries of a massive war escalate.

Austin told reporters that another war would become regional, with "terrible consequences for the Middle East," adding that "diplomacy is by far the best way to prevent more escalation."

Earlier this week, the chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force General Charles Q. Brown, warned that an Israeli wide-scale attack on Lebanon would risk an Iranian response, triggering a broader war that could put United States forces in the region in danger.

Brown told reporters in Botswana that the US would not likely be able to help "Israel" "defend itself" against a broader war with Hezbollah in Lebanon as well as it did in April.

He pointed to the potency of Hezbollah's short-range munitions, which would be harder to intercept due to multiple factors.

The general said that the US will continue to talk with Israeli leaders and warn them against widening the war in the region.

Brown's comments come as the Israeli political and military commands threaten war on Lebanon.

This comes as Iran's Permanent Mission to the United Nations warned on Saturday that a full-scale Israeli attack on Lebanon would lead to an "obliterating" war and put all options "on the table."

"Albeit Iran deems as psychological warfare the Zionist regime’s propaganda about intending to attack Lebanon, should it embark on full-scale military aggression, an obliterating war will ensue. All options, incl. the full involvement of all Resistance Fronts, are on the table," the mission said on X.

Albeit Iran deems as psychological warfare the Zionist regime’s propaganda about intending to attack Lebanon, should it embark on full-scale military aggression, an obliterating war will ensue. All options, incl. the full involvement of all Resistance Fronts, are on the table.
— I.R.IRAN Mission to UN, NY (@Iran_UN) June 28, 2024