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U.S. President Joe Biden urged Israeli leaders to refrain from launching a major attack on the Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorist group in Lebanon, which could open a second front against Israel in the war, the New York Times said late on Friday.
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According to the report, Washington was concerned that "far-right" members of the coalition were pushing for Israel to take action on its northern front after repeated rocket and anti-tank fire directed at Israel and attempts by terrorists to infiltrate the border, which have already caused fatalities.
The paper said the American concern was that Iran and the U.S. would be dragged into the war. While Israel and the Biden administration were attempting to show a united front publicly, behind the scenes there were differences in view. But the Times added that Washington was working through additional channels to control Hezbollah and messages warning the Shi'ite group against further escalation were being delivered.
American and Israeli sources told the publication that there has not been any evidence found that would indicate Hezbollah or Iran's direct involvement in the Hamas terror attack on October 7, where over 1,400 Israelis died and some 200 were taken hostage. They sources said Iran and Hezbollah were surprised by the attack.
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U.S.S. Gerald Ford
(Photo: AFP / US Department of Defense/US Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jacob Mattingly")
The report also revealed that after Sec. of State Antony Blinken met with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant last week, the two agreed there would be no statements made but Gallant spoke on camera, thanking the U.S. for sending the U.S.S. Gerald Ford to the region, a force that could if needed, act against Hezbollah if the conflict broadens.
An official in the Prime Minister's Office said in response to the New York Times's reporting that Israel is united in the war against Hamas and if Hezbollah joins the fight, they will be making a grave mistake and will pay a devastating cost.
The U.S. State Department, the U.S. National Security Council, the IDF and the Ministry of Defense all declined to comment.