By Humeyra Pamuk
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Israel has advised the US it’s conducting restricted floor operations centered on Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon close to the border with Israel, the State Division stated on Monday.
“This is what they have informed us that they are currently conducting, which are limited operations targeting Hezbollah infrastructure near the border,” State Division spokesperson Matthew Miller advised reporters.
Requested to verify they have been restricted floor operations, he stated: “That is our understanding.”
Indications grew on Monday that Israel was on the verge of sending floor troops into Lebanon, two weeks into an assault on the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia that culminated within the assassination of its chief, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
A U.S. official who spoke on situation of anonymity advised Reuters the positioning of Israeli troops urged a floor incursion could possibly be imminent.
After two weeks of intensive airstrikes and a string of assassinations of Hezbollah commanders, Israel has urged ever extra strongly {that a} land invasion is looming.
The Israeli assaults on militant targets in Lebanon are a part of a battle stretching from the Palestinian territories of Gaza and the occupied West Financial institution to Iranian-backed teams in Yemen and Iraq. The escalation has raised fears that the US and Iran will likely be sucked into the battle.
Miller stated that the US continues to assist a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah however added that navy stress can at occasions allow diplomacy. He cautioned that navy stress also can result in miscalculation and unintended penalties.
