SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 17 February 2025, Monday |

“Axios: Gallant informed his American counterpart.. Hezbollah ‘playing with fire’.”

The news site ‘Axios’ quoted Israeli and American sources, Sunday, saying that the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, warned his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, against military operations in Lebanon, indicating that Austin asked Israel to avoid steps that could lead to a full-scale war with Hezbollah.

‘Axios’ clarified that Gallant informed his American counterpart that Israel’s policy is based on not opening a second front in Lebanon, alongside Gaza, and confirmed that he does not believe this scenario will occur.

The news site pointed out that Gallant informed his American counterpart that Hezbollah is escalating its attacks and is ‘playing with fire,’ in his expression.

‘Axios’ quoted an Israeli source as saying that the Biden administration is concerned about Gallant’s public threats against Hezbollah and believes that these threats will only escalate tensions.

The ‘Times of Israel’ quoted Gallant yesterday as saying that Hezbollah is dragging Lebanon into a war, indicating that the Lebanese will be the ones to pay the price. Gallant warned that Hezbollah ‘is nearing a grave mistake that will end with the residents of Beirut fleeing their homes,’ according to him.

Gallant stated that the Israeli Air Force uses less than ten percent of its capabilities in Gaza and that ‘our aircraft are directed northward.’

    Source:
  • Sawt Beirut International