US intelligence predicts war between Israel and Hezbollah in coming weeks – Politico

US intelligence predicts the outbreak of war between Israel and Hezbollah in the coming weeks – Politico Anastasia Lukashevskaya

IDF and Hezbollah is preparing for war/EPA00:0000:381x 1xAudio synthesized using AI.More Audio News

The confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah is likely to become full-blown in the next few weeks unless Jerusalem and Hamas agree on a ceasefire in Gaza Strip.

The publication notes that American officials are trying to convince both sides of the need for de-escalation. This would be much easier if a ceasefire was reached in Gaza.

Since this agreement is under negotiation and US officials are not confident that Israel and Hamas will agree to the proposed agreement in the near future, the situation looks quite alarming.

Preparation for war

The IDF and Hezbollah have developed battle plans and are trying to purchase additional weapons, according to two senior US officials briefed on the intelligence.

And despite public statements by both sides about the reluctance of war, US intelligence suggested that intense hostilities were likely to begin.

Risks High

The risk of war is now higher than at any time in recent weeks, according to another anonymous US official.

War between Israel and Hezbollah could ignite a conflict that would force the US to help defend Jerusalem and push US President Joe Biden's administration to become more involved in a region it has tried for years to leave.

This threatens another humanitarian catastrophe, while the population is already on the verge of exhaustion due to the crisis in the Gaza Strip.

Lebanese citizens called for evacuation

US intelligence provides more conservative estimates than those made in Europe. They calculated that war between Israel and Hezbollah could begin in a matter of days. The countries advised their citizens to leave Lebanon.

Two senior officials noted that it was unclear exactly when war might break out, but noted that Israel was trying to quickly rebuild its supplies and military capabilities.

National Council Spokesperson Security Council Adrienne Watson said the administration was working on a “diplomatic solution” that would allow Israeli and Lebanese citizens to return to their homes.