Reports indicate that the recent increase in attacks between Israel and Hezbollah has raised concerns within the administration of US President Joe Biden.
There is a growing worry among US officials that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas could escalate into a larger war involving Hezbollah and potentially draw American troops into the conflict.
The exchange of rocket barrages across the Israeli-Lebanese border has not only heightened the risk of a broader conflict but also the possibility of attacks by Iranian-backed militias on US military forces in Syria, Jordan, and Iraq. Similar to Hamas, Hezbollah is supported by Iran.
In an effort to de-escalate the situation, Amos Hochstein, a diplomatic adviser to President Biden, is scheduled to travel to Israel on Monday.
Unidentified US officials have expressed concerns about various scenarios, including the potential for deeper strikes into Lebanon by Israel, which could indicate preparations for a major assault.
The Biden administration is also worried that the increasing number of Hezbollah rocket attacks could provoke a response from Israel that unintentionally leads to a full-scale war.
Washington sees the tensions between Israel and Hezbollah as interconnected with the efforts to broker a ceasefire in the conflict with Hamas.
A senior US official stated that any ceasefire agreement would require specific arrangements to address the Israel-Hezbollah tensions. It is clear that the Biden administration is closely monitoring the situation and recognizes the potential risks involved.
