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.”
Israeli public broadcaster Kan revealed Tuesday that the military is frustrated over the limits imposed by Washington on its operations in Lebanon. An unnamed senior Israeli officer told Kan, “We must do much more. Israeli sovereignty is being violated on a daily basis. The Israeli military is exercising great restraint because we are bound by agreements with the United States and the Lebanese government. We must not accept the current reality without the ability to respond.”
Kan’s report added that Washington ordered Israel not to strike high-rise buildings in the Dahiyeh neighborhood in southern Beirut, and that Israel is indeed not planning such attacks.
Since the April 16 ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, tensions along the border have remained high. Two sources told Reuters this week that the Israeli military has expanded its ground operations in southern Lebanon beyond a line established by Israel several kilometers inside Lebanese territory following the truce.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said the Israeli campaign launched on March 2 has killed 3,213 people and wounded 9,737 others as of May 26. The Israeli military, meanwhile, says Hezbollah has continued attacks since the ceasefire, including explosive drone launches targeting Israeli troops and northern Israeli communities, killing at least 11 soldiers.
A fourth round of direct talks between Lebanon and Israel is expected on Friday in Washington.
