Israeli leaders tell UNIFIL chief no decision to wage war on Lebanon

UNIFIL Force Commander and Head of Mission Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro visited Israel ten days ago to meet with Israeli generals and some foreign ambassadors on an “exploratory visit,” following a similar visit at the end of last winter, a media report published Wednesday said.

“The initial impression that the Spanish commander returned with was more positive than that he had last winter, seeing as the enemy’s leaders have decreased their threats and intimidation rhetoric against Lebanon,” al-Akhbar newspaper quoted sources informed on the visit as saying.

“The enemy’s leaders reiterated that they want a diplomatic solution with Lebanon to return the settlers who were forced to leave the northern settlements due to the resistance’s strikes,” the daily added.

They, however, stressed that Israel “will be ready to wage a war on Lebanon to push Hezbollah away from the south Litani region should the diplomatic solutions fail to reach a result.”

“Despite the repetition of the classic, old stances, the rhetoric of the enemy’s leaders seemed more rational in terms of confirming that there is no decision to wage a war on Lebanon,” the report added.

“This relative calm is due to the fatigue that the enemy’s army is suffering after months of war on the fronts of Gaza and Lebanon in addition to the U.S. pressures,” the sources said.