US officials have confirmed that Israeli forces carried out special operations raids in Lebanese territory near the Israel-Lebanon border on Monday morning. The raids were described as very precise, targeted, and small in scale, with a specific focus on targeting Hezbollah's capabilities. These operations were characterized as quick in-and-out missions.
While the US officials have not labeled these raids as a ground incursion, they are vigilantly preparing for the potential of a limited ground operation that could unfold in the coming days.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah as a brutal terrorist during a speech at the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS ministerial. Blinken reiterated the call for diplomatic solutions, despite the Israeli government's current stance of rejecting diplomatic pathways in Lebanon and Gaza.
Blinken emphasized the importance of ceasefires along the blue line and in Gaza, underscoring that diplomacy remains the most effective approach to fostering stability in the Middle East. He expressed the US commitment to advancing these diplomatic efforts promptly.
