US affirms Israel's campaign in Lebanon raises risk of war

Photo: REUTERS/Ammar Awad/File photo.

An Israeli operation in Lebanon could increase the risk of a wider conflict that could draw Iran and its proxies into the fray, especially if Hezbollah's survival is threatened, a senior US military officer said on Sunday.

US Air Force General CQ Brown, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, did not predict Israel’s next move and recognized Israel’s right to self-defense. However, he warned that an operation in Lebanon “could increase the risk of a wider conflict.”

“Hezbollah is stronger than Hamas in terms of overall combat capability, missile numbers and a number of other aspects,” he told reporters during a stop in Cape Verde on his way to a regional security meeting in Botswana. “And I just want to say that I believe Iran would be willing to provide even greater support to Hezbollah.”

“These developments could spread regional conflict and make Israel worry not only about the southern part of the country but also about developments in the northern part.”

Mr Brown's comments came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that the most intense phase of fighting in Gaza would soon end and Israel would be able to deploy more forces to its northern border with Lebanon.

The Iran-backed Hezbollah group attacked Israel shortly after Hamas launched a rocket attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza war on October 7, and the two sides have been engaged in a series of clashes in the months since. Hezbollah has said it will stop its attacks once a ceasefire in Gaza is signed.

In early June, Hezbollah attacked Israeli towns and military bases with the largest barrage of missiles and drones since the beginning of the conflict, after an Israeli airstrike killed one of Hezbollah's most senior commanders.

Mr Brown's comments came as Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant arrived in Washington on Sunday to discuss the next phase of the war in Gaza and escalating clashes on the border with Lebanon.

Mr. Brown also said that the US would be limited in its options to protect Israel from Hezbollah attacks compared to the case of the US helping to intercept Iranian missiles and drones during the airstrike against Israel in April 2024.

“From our perspective, based on the location of our forces, the short distance between Israel and Lebanon makes it very difficult for us to help them in the way we helped them last April.”

Nguyen Quang Minh (According to Reuters)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/my-khang-dinh-chien-dich-cua-israel-tai-lebanon-day-rui-ro-chien-tranh-a669692.html