Bou Habib: Diplomatic Efforts Underway to Curb Anticipated Israeli Retaliation

A flurry of diplomatic efforts is underway to manage an anticipated Israeli retaliation against Hezbollah, according to Lebanon’s top diplomat. This follows an attack, attributed to the group, that resulted in civilian casualties in the annexed Golan Heights.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant vowed on Sunday to “hit the enemy hard” after rocket fire killed 12 minors, raising concerns that the Gaza conflict could widen.

Israel has blamed Hezbollah for launching a Falaq-1 Iranian rocket, but the group, which has frequently targeted Israeli military sites, denies involvement.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib stated that the United States, France, and other nations are working to prevent further escalation, in an interview with local broadcaster Al-Jadeed on Sunday night.

“Israel will escalate in a limited way and Hezbollah will respond in a limited way… These are the assurances we’ve received,” Bou Habib said.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati also mentioned that discussions are ongoing with international, European, and Arab parties to protect Lebanon and avert danger.

The rocket fire in Majdal Shams, an Arabic-speaking Druze town, prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cut short his U.S. visit.

On Sunday, the White House confirmed that the deadly rocket fire was “conducted by Lebanese Hezbollah.”

National Security Council Spokeswoman Adrienne Watson stated that the U.S. has been in “continuous discussions” with Israel and Lebanon since the attack.

Since the October 7 attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on southern Israel, Hezbollah has engaged in near-daily cross-border fire with Israel in support of Hamas, triggering the war in Gaza.

Following Israeli threats of reprisals, Hezbollah has evacuated positions in southern and eastern Lebanon, a source close to the group told AFP.

Since October, the cross-border violence has resulted in at least 527 deaths in Lebanon, including 104 civilians, according to an AFP tally. On the Israeli side, 22 soldiers and 24 civilians have been killed, as reported by Israeli authorities.