US gave Israel 'tacit agreement' to target senior Hezbollah figures
While there is no explicit agreement, sources say Washington has offered quiet approval despite a ceasefire reached April 16.
Washington would not object if, under special circumstances, Israel targets very senior Hezbollah commanders across Lebanon, Israeli political and security sources told Al-Monitor, despite an ongoing ceasefire brokered by the United States.
The sources stressed that there is no explicit or written agreement enabling Israel to strike targets in the Lebanese capital Beirut, but if an opportunity arises to kill a very senior Hezbollah commander, Israel "could go ahead with it, with tacit American agreement." That being said, the sources estimated that Israel would not pursue such strikes as long as negotiations with Lebanon are ongoing.
Reached for comment, a State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Israel had a right to defend itself, citing Hezbollah’s “multiple opportunities to stop shooting” over the past two weeks.
“Instead, it chose to continue firing rockets and drones at Israeli positions,” the official said, adding that “Israel will never be expected to passively absorb attacks on its forces and civilians.”
