Pentagon ‘Deeply Concerned’ Hezbollah Could Widen Israel-Gaza Conflict, Analysts More Sanguine

A senior Pentagon official told reporters Monday they were “deeply concerned” that Lebanese Hezbollah could choose to open up a “second front” against Israel in the wake of Hamas’s deadly attack over the weekend, but some analysts told Breaking Defense they thought the armed group would be wary of making such a move.

“Hezbollah has done just enough to demonstrate political support and solidarity, without committing itself to full conflict with Israel,” Jonathan Lord, director of the Middle East Security program at the Center for a New American Security, told Breaking Defense Monday. “They may take a wait-and-see approach, but Israel recognizes the importance of demonstrating strength so Hezbollah leaders think twice before opening a second front on Israel’s northern border.”

As tense as the situation at border might be after Hamas’ attack on Israel from Gaza, Lord and others said a large scale war between Lebanon and Israel doesn’t seem imminent, because neither side likely sees an advantage to escalating the situation.

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