Recent fatal explosions involving pagers and walkie talkies carried by Hezbollah fighters have intensified Pentagon concerns about a potential ground war in Lebanon. Sources indicate that the U.S. was aware of Israel's plans against Hezbollah before these deadly attacks.
On Monday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed worries to senior Pentagon officials about the possibility of an Israeli offensive in response to escalating tensions. The alarm over a possible invasion has heightened following the deadly explosions, with another defense official noting fears that the situation might spiral out of control.
Since the Gaza war began on October 7 last year, when Hamas fighters attacked a music festival in southern Israel, the Biden administration has been concerned about a potential full-scale conflict on Israel's northern border, which could involve the U.S. and even Iran.
While U.S. officials have not observed concrete evidence of an imminent Israeli invasion and believe it would take weeks for a major offensive, they acknowledge the possibility of a smaller, quicker operation.
In response, Israeli officials stated on Wednesday that they are entering a new phase in their conflict with Iran-backed Hezbollah. They emphasized that a confrontation could be avoided if Hezbollah withdraws its forces from southern Lebanon and ceases cross-border missile attacks.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant noted, "We are at the start of a new phase in the war—we are allocating resources and forces to the northern arena, and our mission is clear: ensuring the safe return of Israel's northern communities to their homes."
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, speaking in Egypt, stated that Washington had no prior knowledge of the attacks before they occurred. However, State Department correspondent Tom Bateman reported that recent briefings suggest the U.S. was informed of Israeli intentions but not given specifics.
Blinken expressed frustration that the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah could disrupt efforts to broker a cease-fire in Gaza. The U.S., Egypt, and other international partners are working to negotiate an agreement to end nearly a year of war in Gaza and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.
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