In Israel and the United States, there was expressed satisfaction with the results of the Israeli preemptive strike in Lebanon, as the IDF’s action received important backing from the Americans. The attack began after Israel received intelligence on Hezbollah’s intention to carry out extensive rocket fire, and the swift response prevented further escalation.
The Americans, who cooperated with Israel regarding the preliminary intelligence and understood the need for a preemptive strike, requested to limit the scope of the response. This American understanding, which came after weeks of efforts by the Biden administration to de-escalate tensions, further highlights the importance of shared intelligence.
President Joe Biden, who played a central role in managing the events, expressed his support for Israel’s right to defend itself and emphasized the importance of maintaining regional stability. It should be noted that U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Brown, arrived in Israel to emphasize American support and assist in deterring additional actors from intervening. Brown and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi will discuss further joint steps for Israel and the U.S. in the region later today.
As part of the ongoing effort to ensure the IDF’s readiness, the Ministry of Defense announced that the 500th aircraft in the American airlift carrying military equipment and ammunition landed in Israel over the weekend. The operation, which began with the outbreak of the war, involves large-scale transportation conducted in cooperation with the Directorate of Production and Procurement (Mafat), the Israeli procurement delegation in the U.S., the IDF Planning and Building Division, and the Israeli Air Force. During the operation, over 50,000 tons of military equipment have been transported to Israel, including armored vehicles, ammunition, personal protective gear, and medical supplies. The air and sea lift provide the IDF with essential operational continuity and the necessary endurance to achieve current and future wartime objectives.
In Israel, recent events are seen as an opportunity to advance an arrangement with Hezbollah and a hostage deal in Gaza. Israeli and U.S. officials are working to leverage the tactical achievement to strengthen the strategic position and promote long-term solutions. In talks with the American delegation, it was clarified that while there is no intention to lead to a full-scale war, Israel is prepared to actively defend itself if necessary.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also working on the international front, with Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon set to submit a letter of complaint to the UN Security Council, requesting condemnation of Hezbollah’s actions and ensuring the enforcement of Security Council Resolution 1701.
The current situation places Israel in a stronger position against Hezbollah and provides an opportunity to continue advancing its strategic objectives while maintaining regional stability.
