Biden Administration Scrambles to Avert Israel-Hezbollah Conflict

[Social Media]

 

The Biden administration is frantically working to prevent the escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah from escalating into a full-scale war, as U.S. officials express deep concern over the potential for a broader conflict. This delicate situation unfolds amidst ongoing efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, with fears that a war with Hezbollah could drastically exacerbate the regional crisis and draw the United States deeper into the conflict.

 

The administration has warned Israel in recent weeks about the dangers of engaging in what it might perceive as a "limited war" in Lebanon. Officials highlight the risk of Iranian intervention, cautioning that Iran could mobilize pro-Iranian militants from Syria, Iraq, and Yemen to join the conflict. U.S. officials are particularly apprehensive about Israel either rushing into a war with Hezbollah or being inadvertently dragged into one without a clear strategy and without considering the full implications of a wider conflict.

 

Behind the scenes, the White House is striving to contain the skirmishes between Israel and Hezbollah while simultaneously working towards securing a ceasefire in Gaza. The belief among officials is that achieving a ceasefire in Gaza is crucial for significantly de-escalating tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese border.

 

The situation has intensified following an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday that killed a senior Hezbollah commander, Taleb Sami Abdullah, in the town of Jwaya, around six miles north of the border. Abdullah, who headed the "Naser" unit responsible for operations along the eastern border with Israel, was the highest-ranking Hezbollah official killed since the conflict began on October 7. Hezbollah has since vowed to escalate its attacks against Israel, launching 200 rockets on Wednesday, marking the most extensive assault since the initial conflict began. One of the Israeli targets that Hezbollah attacked was a factory for armored vehicles.

 

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin communicated with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, expressing concerns about the increased activity in northern Israel and urging de-escalation. "We are concerned about an increase in activity in the north. We don't want this to escalate to a broad regional conflict, and we urge de-escalation," said Pentagon deputy spokeswoman Sabrina Singh. Concurrently, the commander of the Lebanese army, Gen. Joseph Aoun, is in Washington for discussions with White House and Pentagon officials, as well as members of Congress, about the current crisis.

 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a press conference in Doha, emphasized that no party desires a war. He stressed that most stakeholders believe there can and should be a diplomatic resolution to the differences that could ignite a broader conflict. "It's safe to say that actually no one is looking to start a war," Blinken said. "What I've heard from everyone concerned and others who are working on this is there's a strong preference for a diplomatic solution."

 

While traveling with President Biden to the G7 summit in Italy, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan expressed the administration's particular concern about the border exchanges with Lebanon. He stressed that the U.S. is in close consultation with Israel on this issue. "The U.S. is particularly concerned about the exchange of fire across the border with Lebanon," Sullivan told reporters aboard Air Force One.

 

The Biden administration's efforts highlight the delicate balancing act required to prevent a regional conflict while pursuing a ceasefire in Gaza. As the U.S. engages in high-stakes diplomacy, the situation remains precarious, with the potential for rapid escalation posing a significant threat to regional stability.

 

 

Credit: AXIOS 2024-06-14

 

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[RichardColeman]

'Biden tries to appease muslim voters that have abandoned him' would be a more appropriate headline

[malibukid]

Biden has brought this upon himself. Israel would love to bring America into a war between the US and Iran. Israel is playing the U.S.

[Tug]

10 minutes ago, malibukid said:

Biden has brought this upon himself. Israel would love to bring America into a war between the US and Iran. Israel is playing the U.S.

The United States is standing with our ally Israel period all stop 🛑 the United States is trying to broker a cease fire and to get the hostages back no more no less it is what a responsible administration is trying to do and btw should do.

[nobodysfriend]

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

The Biden administration is frantically working to prevent the escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah from escalating into a full-scale war, as U.S. officials express deep concern over the potential for a broader conflict.

 

No Deescalation in sight soon ...

 

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

Officials highlight the risk of Iranian intervention, cautioning that Iran could mobilize pro-Iranian militants from Syria, Iraq, and Yemen to join the conflict. U.S. officials are particularly apprehensive about Israel either rushing into a war with Hezbollah or being inadvertently dragged into one without a clear strategy and without considering the full implications of a wider conflict.

 

Another war coming ?

Fight until the end ...?

So sad .

[Thingamabob]

Biden is already scrambled.

[charleskerins]

Let the GOP handle it Joe   they love Israel.

[cncltd1973]

hamas has no interest in surrender as long as it has people to hide amongst. Israel won't stop until hamas is eradicated. both sides are clear of their intentions so world leaders should save their breath,  stand aside and let them finish, then reorganize the aftermath. it's a regional conflict that flares up every generation or 2 as new minds come into power. as my wife says: monkeys and tigers cannot get along

[Eric Loh]

I though Trump brought peace to the middle-east with his Jared Kushner's Vision for Peace. 

[spidermike007]

Israel must be stopped at all costs, their efforts in Gaza have been so far over the top, and their desire to purify Gaza and rid it of all Palestinians must be stopped. The US needs to withdraw all support as soon as possible. Netanyahu a super freak extremist, and he seems to enjoy inflicting pain and suffering on women and children. 

[thaibeachlovers]

9 hours ago, Social Media said:

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a press conference in Doha, emphasized that no party desires a war. He stressed that most stakeholders believe there can and should be a diplomatic resolution to the differences that could ignite a broader conflict.

LOL. Isn't it funny that the conflict in the north requires a diplomatic resolution, but the other one was OK with slaughter for 8 months till it impacted Biden's election campaign.

 

I guess that Biden is getting increasingly concerned for his election chances to send Blinken to try and get Hezbollah to tone it down. Given Hezbollah have stated it is in support of Gazans, on what planet is Blinken that he thinks they will cease attacking israel just because he asks them, as long as israel keeps bombing "safe areas".

 

most stakeholders

LOL. I doubt that includes Iran, and they are the only one that counts.

[thaibeachlovers]

2 hours ago, cncltd1973 said:

hamas has no interest in surrender as long as it has people to hide amongst. Israel won't stop until hamas is eradicated. both sides are clear of their intentions so world leaders should save their breath,  stand aside and let them finish, then reorganize the aftermath. it's a regional conflict that flares up every generation or 2 as new minds come into power. as my wife says: monkeys and tigers cannot get along

Thank you for referring to Gazans as tigers. They are pretty tenacious though.

[thaibeachlovers]

9 hours ago, Social Media said:

The administration has warned Israel in recent weeks about the dangers of engaging in what it might perceive as a "limited war" in Lebanon.

LOL. Netanyahu has proven time and time again that he will ignore America if it suits him to do so ( America- don't extend war into Raffah. Israel- launch the bombers on Raffah ).

[thaibeachlovers]

6 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

'Biden tries to appease muslim voters that have abandoned him' would be a more appropriate headline

Somehow I don't think he's getting them back.