US & France urge restraint, Israeli officials push for war on Lebanon

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
5 Jun 2024 00:10
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As Israeli officials blame each other for the deteriorating situation in the north and call for war on Lebanon, the US and France urge Israeli restraint.

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Smoke rises from the Biriya forest near the border with Lebanon, northern occupied Palestine, Tuesday, June 4, 2024 ((AP Photo)

Israeli media outlets discussed in depth international pressure on the Israeli occupation not to escalate confrontations on the Northern Front with the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon - Hezbollah.

Israeli Broadcasting Corporation (KAN) correspondent Amichai Stein, reported that the United States had urged the Israeli regime not to further escalate the situation in the north. Noting that this is not the first time that Washington has made such a request, Stein highlighted broader international requests targeted at Israeli authorities.

According to the correspondent, French President Emmanuel Macron held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in light of a heated day of confrontations on Monday, which saw large sections of occupied northern territories set ablaze due to rocket fire and the operational activities of the Israeli occupation forces.

The French President expressed concern about the growing tensions on the Palestinian-Lebanese border.

Stein quoted Macron as saying to Netanyahu, "Do not escalate the situation, do not ignite the situation, and this is the international request."

KAN's correspondent also revealed that the French President called for maximum restraint and the implementation of United Nations Resolution 1701 by all parties. Macron also spoke of promoting a diplomatic solution to confrontations on the Northern Front.

Hezbollah has only utilized 5% of its capabilities

A full-blown war with Lebanon and its Resistance faction, Hezbollah, is likely to be detrimental to the Israeli regime, as the group has yet to utilize its full capabilities in attacks. Despite the use of marginal capabilities, Hezbollah has been able to target key military infrastructure in occupied northern territories, with attacks reaching as far as occupied Akka on the coast and the Golani Junction in Lower al-Jalil.

In fact, Israeli news website Ynet quoted Israeli security sources who said that Hezbollah is only using 5% of its available arsenal in the battle in the north, which has become "a testing ground for the Resistance, in preparation for a real and extensive battle."

Israeli officials all bark and no bite

On the other hand, extremist members of the Israeli government such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have called for war on Lebanon, demanding the government and the occupation's military command push the Israeli security zone further north to South Lebanon.

"Just a few hours ago I was warned that the situation in the north is deteriorating and the security zone must move from Israel to southern Lebanon," Smotrich said.

Smotrich highlighted the fact that the Israeli Security Minister had previously threatened to return Lebanon to the Stone Age, however, the threat never materialized.

The minister lambasted the Israeli security command for not living up to expectations and their failed security plans.

"The new concept led by the war cabinet has been going up in flames for many hours and is exploding in our faces. A year ago there was a defense minister who said that we will return Lebanon to the Stone Age," Smotrich asserted.

Smotrich concluded his statement by calling on the Prime Minister, Security Minister, and Chief-of-Staff to launch a ground aggression on Lebanon.

To a lesser extent, calls for mobilization were also echoed by Chief-of-Staff Herzi Halevi, who said, "We are approaching the point where a decision will have to be made, the IDF is prepared and ready to go on the attack."