Israel conducts operation in Lebanon, notifies US ahead of time
- Israeli officials notified the US about an operation in Lebanon on Tuesday without providing specific details.
- The operation led to explosions that injured many Hezbollah members and drew condemnation from the Lebanese government.
- The incident heightened regional tensions and raised concerns about further escalation, prompting the US to clarify its non-involvement.
On Tuesday, Israeli officials informed the US about an impending operation in Lebanon, but did not disclose specific details. This lack of information left US officials unaware until reports of explosions emerged shortly after the operation commenced. The operation, which involved Israel's military and intelligence service, the Mossad, resulted in significant casualties among Hezbollah members and heightened regional tensions. The Lebanese government condemned the actions as 'criminal Israeli aggression.' As Secretary of State Antony Blinken was traveling to Cairo, the explosions caught US diplomats off guard, raising concerns about the potential for further escalation in the region. This incident was not isolated, as Israel has previously conducted operations in Lebanon during Blinken's visits to the Middle East, indicating a pattern of provocative actions. In response to the explosions, the US communicated to Iran through back channels, clarifying that they were not involved in the attack and urging Iran to refrain from escalating the situation. The explosions also injured Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, further complicating the diplomatic landscape. The US has consistently sought to manage tensions in the region, especially following Hamas's attack on October 7, which has led to ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon. The ambiguity surrounding Israel's operations raises questions about future actions and the potential for increased conflict in an already volatile area.