Phil Stewart
ESPAGOS, Cape Verde (Reuters) – An Israeli offensive in Lebanon could raise the risk of sparking a wider conflict that could draw Iran and Iran-aligned militants into the mix, a top U.S. general said on Sunday. If Hezbollah’s existence is threatened.
Air Force Gen. Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, did not predict Israel’s next move and acknowledged Israel’s right to self-defense. But he warned that attacks in Lebanon “could increase the likelihood of a wider conflict”.
“Hezbollah is more capable than Hamas in terms of overall capabilities, number of rockets, etc. I would just say that I would see Iran being more inclined to provide greater support to Hezbollah,” Brown said on arrival in Cape Verde told reporters on the way.
“Again, all of this could serve to expand the conflict in the region and make Israel worry not only about what’s happening in the southern part of the country, but also what’s happening in the north.”
Brown’s comments came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that the impending end of the intense fighting phase in Gaza would allow Israel to deploy more troops to Lebanon’s northern border.
Iran-backed Hezbollah began attacking Israel shortly after Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack triggered the war in Gaza, and the two sides have been attacking each other for months since. Hezbollah said operations would halt until a ceasefire was achieved in Gaza.
In early June, Hezbollah used its largest salvo of rockets and drones yet in hostilities, targeting Israeli towns and military bases after an Israeli airstrike killed its most senior commander.
Brown’s comments came as Israeli Defense Minister Yov Galant traveled to Washington on Sunday to discuss the next phase of the war in Gaza and an escalation of hostilities on the Lebanese border.
Brown noted that the U.S.’s ability to protect Israel from Hezbollah attacks may be more limited than its ability to help intercept Iran’s missile and drone attacks on Israel in April, which were largely foiled.
“From our perspective, based on where our forces are located, the short distance between Lebanon and Israel makes it difficult for us to support them the way we did in April,” Brown said.
