Israeli reports say Trump gave Netanyahu green light for potential strike on Hezbollah
The Israeli army has raised its readiness level in anticipation of a potential attack on Hezbollah, according to Israeli media reports.
The reports said U.S. President Donald Trump has given Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "green light" to take military action against the group "if necessary."
On Wednesday evening, the Israeli newspaper Maariv reported that assessments within the Israeli security establishment indicate that ongoing steps in Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah do not meet the ceasefire conditions.
The newspaper added that the Israeli security establishment "intends to present available options for weakening Hezbollah to the Prime Minister and the political echelon, while also emphasizing the necessity of carrying out a military operation."
It quoted sources within the Israeli army as saying that "the lack of intention by the Lebanese Army and government to continue disarming Hezbollah will push the Israeli army to do so."
These sources claimed that the Israeli army "is monitoring Hezbollah's attempts to rebuild its capabilities, especially in areas north of the Litani River," noting that among the capabilities the group seeks to build and rehabilitate are "precision-guided missile systems, in addition to other offensive systems."
In a related context, Israel's Channel 15 reported that "the issue of Lebanon and Hezbollah constituted only a small part of the Netanyahu-Trump meeting at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida (on Monday), but it appears that the Israeli and American positions are identical on this issue."
The channel added, quoting a source it described as informed: "Trump gave Netanyahu permission to act against Hezbollah."
The source explained that Trump assured Netanyahu he would not stop him "if the Lebanese Army fails to disarm Hezbollah and Israel deems it necessary."
Meanwhile, The Jerusalem Post newspaper quoted another source as saying the U.S. president emphasized that "the United States supports Israel" should it decide to take such action.
During the same meeting, according to Channel 15, Trump reiterated his position on the necessity of fully disarming Hezbollah, stating that the group is behaving "badly" and that he would monitor the outcome of Lebanon's efforts to disarm the group.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/317456 |