Hale says escalation not inevitable, Israel trusts Lebanese leaders' capabilities
Former U.S. under secretary of state for political affairs and ex-ambassador to Lebanon David Hale, who currently serves as a Distinguished Diplomatic Fellow at the Middle East Institute think tank in Washington, has said that escalation between Israel and Hezbollah is possible but not inevitable.
Speaking about his recent trip to Israel in remarks to Lebanon’s Nidaa al-Watan newspaper, Hale said he did not hear from the Israeli officials that they want to harm Lebanon. He added that the Israelis have confidence in the abilities of the Lebanese leadership represented in President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
Hale also said that Israel wants the U.S. to remain involved in the Lebanese file, but he warned that Israel might act unilaterally if it senses that the Lebanese Army is not acting quick enough on Hezbollah’s disarmament.
He added that the best way to avoid a return to destruction would be the implementation of the ceasefire agreement obligations by the two sides, noting that the Lebanese state can fend off escalation by committing to what it had pledged to.
Hale also suggested that Israel is not seeking to occupy the five hills in the South forever, describing its presence there as tactical and related to Lebanon’s perceived failure to honor the ceasefire agreement.
Source: Naharnet
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