Senior White House figures privately told Israel that the U.S. would support its decision to ramp up military pressure against Hezbollah — even as the Biden administration publicly urged the Israeli government in recent weeks to curtail its strikes, according to American and Israeli officials.

Not everyone in the administration was on board with Israel’s shift, despite support inside the White House, the officials said. The decision to focus on Hezbollah sparked division within the U.S. government, drawing opposition from people inside the Pentagon, State Department and intelligence community who believed Israel’s move against the Iran-backed militia could drag American forces into yet another Middle East conflict.

Officials in the intelligence community, in briefings and talks with members of Congress last week, had said they were increasingly worried about the potential for a direct ground confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah. Similar conversations were occurring in the State Department, where officials were concerned about the mounting civilian death toll in Lebanon.

The internal administration division seems to have dissipated somewhat in recent days, with top U.S. officials convening Monday at the White House with President Joe Biden to discuss the situation on the ground. Most agreed that the conflict, while fragile, could offer an opportunity to reduce Iran’s influence in Lebanon and the region.

Still, the White House is walking a fine line, U.S. and Israeli officials said. The Biden administration wants to support Israel’s actions against a U.S.-designated terrorist group that has killed Americans and threatens the region. But it is not comfortable endorsing Israel’s campaign completely — or publicly — because it is worried it will creep too far into Lebanese territory, instigating an all-out war, one of the U.S. officials said.

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  • Alsephina@lemmy.mlOP
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    12 days ago

    The Biden administration wants to support Israel’s actions

    Genocidal bastards

  • BurgerPunk [he/him, comrade/them]@hexbear.net
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    12 days ago

    Theyre letting the lame duck with dementia continue making decisions? This administration has committed fraud by hiding Biden’s condition. Now descions of worldwide importance are being made by people no one elected. This is a rouge and illegitimate government.

    Libs still pretend they care about democracy. They’re full on “still love the truck though” but with the state

  • Linkerbaan@lemmy.world
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    12 days ago

    Supporting the invasion they oppose. Only the Biden Adminstration would be so blatant to release directly contradictory statements. Most Fascist regimes at least try to hide their crimes… I guess Liberals get off on the hypocrisy.

    • ArcaneSlime@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      12 days ago

      They know they don’t have to really hide anymore, as long as they have Trump to threaten us with, and after that “the next Trump,” they can do whatever they want and get votes.

    • Kalkaline @leminal.space
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      12 days ago

      The economy isn’t slipping so much that we need a war. In fact we’ve had the best bounce back of any rich nation post COVID.

      • queermunist she/her@lemmy.ml
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        12 days ago

        What if I told you that the entire global economy of rich nations is slipping. The best of a declining cohort isn’t really that good.