Revenge for Rocket Barrage
Although Hezbollah and Israel have been longtime adversaries, until recently there has been limited direct conflict. However, tensions escalated after Hamas’ October 7 attack against Israel and Israel’s subsequent military offensive in Gaza.
In solidarity with Hamas, Hezbollah intensified a deadly rocket campaign along the Israel-Lebanon border, further straining relations.
Since then, the once-tense quiet on the border has given way to almost daily exchanges of fire. Both sides insist they do not seek an all-out war but remain prepared for one. The United States is intensifying diplomatic efforts to prevent hostilities from escalating into a full-scale conflict.
U.S. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel stated, “We defer to Israel to speak to its own military operations. We reiterate our clear position: Our commitment to Israel’s security is ironclad and unwavering against all Iran-backed threats, including Hezbollah.”
This statement reaffirms the U.S.’s support for Israel while acknowledging the broader geopolitical implications of the conflict.
