General Brown expressed concern that the US would not be able to defend Israel in a potential war against Hezbollah, citing the difficulty of creating an effective defense against Hezbollah’s rockets and missiles. This contrasts with the US’s successful defense of Israel during Iran’s missile and drone attack in April. During Defense Minister Yoav Galant’s visit to the US, he discussed with American officials the threat of a potential war with Hezbollah and the danger posed by Iran.
Brown stressed the importance of considering the wider implications of any operations in Lebanon and how they could impact the region as a whole. The safety of US military personnel in the region was highlighted as a top priority. While Brown did not elaborate on specific security arrangements concerning a possible escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, he emphasized that no American bases in the Middle East had been attacked since February.
Reports emerged last week indicating that the Biden administration had assured Israeli officials of full support in the event of a conflict with Hezbollah. Concerns were raised about Israel’s air defense system potentially struggling to counter Hezbollah’s capabilities in a widespread conflict. The departure of the Dwight Eisenhower aircraft carrier from the Red Sea following its mission against the Houthis in Yemen left the area temporarily without an American carrier, with the Theodore Roosevelt carrier expected to arrive in the coming weeks.
Reports also surfaced indicating that pro-Iranian militia fighters from Syria and Iraq were preparing to join Hezbollah in a conflict against Israeli forces. This development echoed similar occurrences during the Second Lebanon War in 2006. The participation of these fighters raised concerns about the potential for an all-out conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.