The Biden administration has privately been urging Israel not to launch a military campaign against Hezbollah, as Washington works to keep the current war from spreading beyond Gaza, media reports said.
The US recognises that Israel must respond to the increased targeting of its northern border by Hezbollah since the shock Hamas onslaught on October 7 in which over 1,400 Israelis were killed, the officials clarified.
But the repeated attacks by the Lebanese group and the fact that Israel failed to anticipate the brutal assault by Hamas from Gaza have led to the intensification of discussions about whether Israel must be the one to initiate a battle against Hezbollah to maintain the upper hand.
Such talk has been cause for concern for the US, which has been privately and publicly warning Hezbollah and Iran not to open a war on Israel’s northern front, the officials said, Times of Israel reported.
The US has cautioned Israel to be careful in its military responses to Hezbollah fire, explaining that an IDF mistake in Lebanon could spark a much larger war, the officials added, the report said.
Biden officials have indicated to Israel in recent days that if Hezbollah initiates a war against Israel, the US military will join the IDF in fighting the militant group, the officials said.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday following his brief solidarity visit to Israel, US President Joe Biden claimed that it “was never said” that the US would join in the event of a front with Hezbollah.
Govt justifies deportation from US, cites diplomatic obligation
Calling for a focus on a strong crackdown against the illegal immigration industry, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday reiterated the universal obligation for countries to repatriate their nationals found living abroad illegally.
Saved from penal action, repatriated safely — how have things changed drastically for illegal Indian immigrants since 2014
Making a statement in Parliament, the EAM urged that the focus should instead remain on a strong crackdown against the illegal immigration industry as the process of deportation is not new and has been ongoing for several years.
Emergency was aimed to pamper arrogance of Congress' royal family: PM Modi
Replying in Rajya Sabha to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, PM Modi highlighted how the Congress government during the 'Emergency' persecuted singer Kishore Kumar and actors Dev Anand and Balraj Sahni who refused to support it during that dark phase.
BJP ally Tipra Motha Party threatens to withdraw support if govt does not fulfil promises
Tripura's ruling coalition partner, the Tipra Motha Party (TMP), on Thursday threatened to withdraw its support from the BJP-led government if the Centre did not fulfil the provisions of the tripartite accord signed on March 2 last year.
Not new procedure, been in place since 2009: EAM Jaishankar on deportation row
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that there has been "no change from the past procedure" in the deportation of illegal immigrants by the United States, emphasizing that the process is "not a new one".
Cong seeks discussion in LS, dignified treatment for deported Indians by US
The Indian nationals who were deported from the US for illegally arriving in the country on Wednesday claimed that they were sent back on the military aircraft with their hands and legs cuffed throughout the journey.
J&K mysterious deaths: All pesticide, insecticide shops sealed in Rajouri district
All pesticide and insecticide shops have been sealed by authorities in Jammu and Kashmir’s (J&K) Rajouri district as part of preventive measures taken after 17 ‘mysterious deaths’ took place in Budhal village, officials said on Thursday.
Pariksha Pe Charcha: PM Modi to engage with students; Sadguru, Mary Kom, Deepika to join discussion
The much-anticipated eighth edition of 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' (PPC) is set to return in an expanded format, featuring an array of distinguished experts and guests, alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi.