Israel, Hezbollah Trade Heavy Fire Along Lebanon Border

 

US Warns Israel Would Be Spread Too Thin Starting a Fight in Southern Lebanon

by Jason Ditz 

Posted onJanuary 7, 2024CategoriesNews

Still angry at the assassination of top Hamas figure Saleh al-Harouri in Beirut last week, the Hezbollah movement carried out what it called a “preliminary response,” trading heavy fire with Israel along the Lebanese border.

Hezbollah described the attack as focusing on a hilltop observation post, firing off 62 rockets. The outpost was purported to be for “observation” and “aerial control.” Israel reported responding to the “terrorist cell” with strikes of their own.

Israel did not, however, comment on the attacks on the hilltop outpost one way or the other. The damage done to the outpost is straightforward blowback from the Harouri assassination, to which Israel likely does not want to draw attention.

The assassination is problematic because Harouri was a high-profile player in negotiating the hostage exchange with Hamas and was said to be trying to work on another when he was killed. Israelis with family members held by Hamas in the war are not happy to see the opportunity for an exchange squandered by military force.

Israeli hawks are practically champing at the bit to start a big fight in southern Lebanon, but here too there is some strong opposition. The United States, usually a backer of all things unilateral in Israeli action, have actually warned against significant escalation.

This is related to an intelligence assessment by the DIA, which says Israel would have a very difficult time contending with a lot of additional military action on their northern border. Given the already enormous undertaking of the Gaza War, they would be spreading themselves very thin indeed.

State Dept. spokesman Mark Miller said it was “in no one’s interest to expand the war beyond Gaza.” Israel DM Yoav Gallant said Israel would stick to an “agreed-upon diplomatic settlement,” but ominously cautioned that they are “close to the point where the hourglass will turn over.”

https://news.antiwar.com/2024/01/07/israel-hezbollah-trade-heavy-fire-along-lebanon-border/