Despite U.S. calls to avoid a ground offensive in Lebanon, Israel has launched “targeted” raids inside the country, raising the stakes of a wider Middle East conflict and the apparent inability of Washington to restrain its ally.
On Monday, US President Joe Biden stated opposition to any Israeli ground operation in Lebanon due to a recent spate of tensions following the killing of Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah. “I’m more aware than you might know and comfortable with them stopping. We should have a ceasefire now,” Biden told reporters when asked about Israeli intentions for action limited in scope in Lebanon.
Minutes later, State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller declared that Israel informed Washington of ongoing “limited operations targeting Hezbollah infrastructure near the border.” An Israeli military official later said it carried out “ground raids” against villages in southern Lebanon.
This has become a rather familiar pattern. Every time the U.S. calls for a ceasefire or diplomatic solution to the conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to escalate the military action. Just days after a joint U.S.-French statement called for a ceasefire, Netanyahu launched new airstrikes against Hezbollah.
“The Biden administration has largely been a bystander to these events,” said Brian Katulis, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute. He cited the administration’s surprise at Israel’s moves despite supplying military support to the country.
While the U.S. recognizes Israel’s right of self-defense, Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored the need for diplomacy to play its part: “The question is not, does Israel have a right to deal with existential threats. but what is the best way to achieve its objectives,” he said.
As Israel struggles to translate battlefield victories over Hezbollah and Hamas into a broad strategic gain, the U.S. remains hopeful of a diplomatic outcome in Gaza and Lebanon. “Diplomacy remains the only viable avenue for stability in this region,” Blinken said. However, with no apparent breakthrough after weeks of consultations with U.S. allies, American leverage over Netanyahu appears limited, putting Washington on the back foot as events accelerate.
The Biden administration is pressing for a peace deal in the Middle East ahead of elections, but most onlookers agree that little will change in terms of strategy leading up to November 5.
