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IOF approve 'operational plans for offensive in Lebanon'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies + Al Mayadeen
18 Jun 2024 23:54
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The Israeli army escalates rhetoric against Lebanon as the US claims to be exerting efforts to prevent a full-blown war.

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Fighters from the Lebanese Islamic Resistance Hezbollah carry a training exercise in Aaramta village in the Jezzine District, southern Lebanon, Sunday, May 21, 2023. (AP)

The Israeli military said on Tuesday that "operational plans for an offensive in Lebanon were approved and validated."

The senior commanders also decided to "accelerate the readiness of the forces on the ground," according to the military statement.

Simultaneously, the Pentagon expressed its desire to avoid an expanded regional war in the Middle East.

When asked by Al Mayadeen's correspondent about the Israeli move to approve operational plans, Patrick Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson, reiterated Washington's commitment to fostering a diplomatic resolution.

"We remain concerned about tensions along the border and we continue to encourage a diplomatic solution," he stressed.

LIVE: @PentagonPresSec Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder holds a news briefing at the Pentagon. https://t.co/3sg1qlrFeo
— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) June 18, 2024

"Preventing a wider regional conflict has been a primary focus for this department and the US government since October 7," he further claimed.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he said, "I'm not going to get into hypotheticals and speculate on what might happen other than to say no one wants to see a wider regional war."

This comes shortly after Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz cautioned on Tuesday that a determination regarding a full-scale war with Hezbollah was imminent, despite efforts by the United States to prevent any escalation.

"In an all-out war, Hezbollah will be destroyed and Lebanon will be severely beaten," he threatened.

US envoy urges immediate diplomacy to halt escalation in the North

Earlier today, US envoy Amos Hochstein called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions on the northern border between Lebanon and "Israel" during his visit to Beirut.

"It's in everyone's interest to resolve it quickly and diplomatically — that is both achievable and it is urgent," he stressed.

Hochstein held discussions with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri following his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in al-Quds the previous day.

"Speaker Berri and I had a very a good discussion," Hochstein said.

"We discussed the current security and political situation in Lebanon as well as the deal on the table right now with respect to Gaza, which also provides an opportunity to end the conflict across the Blue Line," he stated.

"A ceasefire in Gaza and, or, an alternative diplomatic solution could also bring the conflict across the Blue Line to an end" and permit those who have been displaced to return to northern "Israel" and southern Lebanon, the envoy continued.

"This is a serious time and a critical moment," Hochstein stated later after meeting with Prime Minister Najib Mikati, calling their discourse "excellent".

"What we are working together [to do] is to try to identify a ways to get to a place where we prevent a further escalation," he added.

On his part, Mikati said that "what is required is to stop the ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon and return to calm and stability on the southern border."

In a statement from his office, Mikati added that "continued Israeli threats" will not distract Lebanon from seeking calm.

Hochstein also had a meeting with the chief of the Lebanese army, Joseph Aoun.

The big picture

This is happening as the Military Media of the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon - Hezbollah released Tuesday footage showing its reconnaissance drones flying over swathes of occupied Palestinian land, including Kiryat Shmona, Nahariya, Safad, Karmiel, Afula, extending to Haifa and its port.

Under the title, "This is what the Hoopoe brought back," the nine-minute-and-a-half video exposed sensitive Israeli sites. Hezbollah indicated that the video was the first episode of more to come, highlighting that the drones bypassed Israeli air defenses and returned to Lebanese airspace without being detected.

It is worth noting that the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon continues to pound Israeli military sites and soldiers' gatherings along the border with occupied Palestine in support of Gaza and its Resistance since October 8.