US pledges support to Israel in event of war with Hezbollah

Washington: Washington has reassured Israel of its complete support in the event of a full-fledged war with the Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah, CNN reported on Saturday, citing an undisclosed high-ranked US official.
During the week, senior US officials, including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, State Secretary Antony Blinken and White House Middle East Affairs Coordinator Brett McGurk held a series of engagements with top Israeli officials. The parties discussed a wide range of issues, including the current situation on Israel’s northern border, ceasefire in Gaza, hostage negotiations and Iran, the media reported.
In the course of the discussions, US officials told their Israeli counterparts that President Joe Biden’s administration was ready to provide Israel with necessary assistance in case of escalation with Hezbollah, CNN reported, citing the source.
Washington noted, though, it was not going to deploy its troops in the conflict zone if it emerges, the media added.
Last week, the CBS News reported on Washington’s concerns over military escalation between Israel and Hezbollah that might turn into a full-fledged war which will be hard for Israel to finish without the US support.
On Thursday, CNN reported, citing three US officials, that the US was concerned that Hezbollah could overwhelm Israel’s air-defense systems in the northern areas of the country, including Iron Dome systems.
On Tuesday, Israel said it approved and validated operational plans for an offensive in Lebanon. Foreign Minister Israel Katz later said that Israel was very close to reaching a decision to “change the rules” against Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah, and warned that both the movement and Lebanon would be severely hit in a new war.
The situation on the Israeli-Lebanese border worsened after the start of hostilities between Israel and Palestinian movement Hamas in October 2023. The Israeli army and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters, who support Palestine in the conflict with Israel, have regularly exchanged fire across the border since then.
UNI SPUTNIK