Report: US intel indicates war between Israel and Hezbollah inching closer

A large-scale confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah is likely to break out in the next several weeks if Israel and Hamas fail to reach a cease-fire deal in Gaza, U.S. intelligence indicates.

The Israeli army and Hezbollah “have drafted battle plans and are in the process of trying to procure additional weapons,” two senior U.S. officials briefed on the intelligence told U.S. news portal Politico.

Both sides have publicly said they do not want to go to war, but senior Biden officials “increasingly believe that intense fighting is likely to break out despite efforts to try and prevent it,” Politico said.

The risk is higher now than at any other point in recent weeks, according to another senior U.S. official, who, like others in this report, was granted anonymity to speak freely about sensitive intelligence.

“The U.S. intelligence offers a slightly more conservative assessment than those coming from parts of Europe. Some European countries calculate that a war between Israel and Hezbollah could happen in days,” Politico added.

Two of the senior officials stressed that it was unclear when exactly the war could start but noted that Israel is trying to rebuild its stockpiles and troop capacity quickly.

National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the administration is working toward a “diplomatic resolution” that would allow Israeli and Lebanese citizens to return to their homes.

“We also continue efforts to secure a deal that would lead to a durable end to the war in Gaza,” she said. “A cease-fire and hostage deal in Gaza will accelerate the possibility of progress, including lasting security and calm along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon,” she added.