Israeli officials say US pressure restraining Israel in Lebanon
Israeli defense officials assess that Hamas is closely coordinating with Hezbollah and Iran to revive and rebuild the so-called “Axis of Resistance,” as the Israeli army expands strikes in Gaza and southern Lebanon, Israeli officials said on Thursday, according to a Jerusalem Post report.
The officials said that U.S. pressure is, for now, restraining a fiercer Israeli response to “Hezbollah’s ceasefire violations.”
“In parallel, Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon, with Iranian funding and encouragement, are working to restore terror infrastructure, smuggle and move weapons into southern Lebanon and the Bekaa, recruit new operatives, and intensify training for a future round against Israel,” the Jerusalem Post said.
It quoted military sources as saying that Hezbollah is “acting in clear violation of the ceasefire understandings and is moving in the opposite direction of demilitarizing southern Lebanon and disarming.”
The military sources added that the Northern Command commander would like to respond in a far more aggressive manner to “Hezbollah’s violations.” Still, at this stage, the United States is “tying Israel’s hands behind its back.”
Source: Naharnet
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