Prime Minister Netanyahu declares the fierce battle in Gaza is coming to an end, risks spreading the Israel-Hezbollah conflict

On June 23, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the fierce war with the Palestinian Hamas force was about to end, an American general warned of the risk of escalating tensions between Israel and the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that the Middle Eastern country is very close to ending the period of tension across the entire Gaza Strip. (Source: AFP)

Speaking in an interview with Israel's Channel 14 television, Mr. Netanyahu stated: "The tense phase of the war in Rafah (Gaza) is coming to an end" and Israeli forces are "very close" to the end point in "the tense phase in the entire Gaza Strip."

However, this does not mean an end to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, as operations will continue with the war targeting Hamas forces.

The Middle Eastern nation's prime minister also warned that after the end of the "tense phase" in Gaza, "Israel will continue to advance north", referring to launching a full-scale war against the armed group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Mr Netanyahu said any deal to secure a ceasefire along the border with Lebanon, where Israeli and Hezbollah forces have been fighting since October 8 last year, “will have to be on our terms”.

On this issue, on the same day, Times of Israel reported that Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was on his way to Washington (USA) to discuss the next phase of the conflict in Gaza and the escalating hostilities on the border with Lebanon.

Speaking before departing for Washington, where he will meet his US counterpart Lloyd Austin and host country Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary Gallant stressed: “We are prepared for any action that may be required in Gaza, Lebanon and in many other areas.”

Some Israeli officials have linked the advance into Rafah to a possible focus on Lebanon. Gallant appeared to make a similar connection, noting: “The transition to phase C in Gaza is of great importance. I will discuss this transition with American officials.”

Israel's scaling back of its Gaza campaign would free up forces to confront Hezbollah, should Israel decide to launch a ground offensive or intensify its aerial bombardment of Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Brown acknowledged Israel's right to self-defense and did not predict its next steps, but he warned that an attack in Lebanon "could increase the risk of a broader conflict."

“Hezbollah is more powerful than Hamas in terms of overall capabilities, number of missiles and things like that. And I see Iran tending to support Hezbollah more,” Brown analyzed.

In addition, General Brown noted, the US may be more limited in its ability to protect Israel from Hezbollah attacks, compared to helping prevent Iran's April attack on Israel with missiles and drones.

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