Lebanon escalation inevitable, time to be decided, report says

Israel is heading toward an escalation in Lebanon, according to an Israeli media report that quoted an Israeli security official as saying that "Hezbollah will not give up its weapons through the (ceasefire) agreement" and that an escalation is inevitable, but its timing is yet to be decided.

"We will decide its timing in accordance with our security interests," the official reportedly said.

During a meeting with U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the head of the Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate claimed that Hezbollah is smuggling short-range missiles through Syria, moving infrastructure to the area north of the Litani River, and mobilizing its members inside villages.