▲ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
U.S. intelligence agencies have issued an internal alert, concerned that Israel is highly likely to disrupt the emerging cease-fire between the United States and Iran.
The Washington Post reported this on June 19 (local time), citing a U.S. intelligence report.
According to the report, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing intense domestic pressure to continue military operations in Lebanon ahead of the general election this fall.
Intelligence officials assess that since Netanyahu's political survival depends on domestic public opinion, Israel appears determined to maintain military operations targeting the pro-Iranian militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon.
However, officials pointed out that this stance by Israel directly violates the terms of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and Iran, which includes a cessation of hostilities in Lebanon.
One official noted that even if Israel does not escalate the conflict, simply failing to withdraw from southern Lebanon would be enough to break the fragile agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
"The continued occupation of any part of Lebanese territory by the Israeli military is a shortcut to disaster," the official told the newspaper, adding, "Without a full withdrawal of Israeli forces, the resumption of hostilities between them and Hezbollah is almost certain."
According to the officials, the U.S. intelligence report also reflects Israel's frustration with the conditions of the cease-fire MOU.
The reason is that these conditions hinder Israel's broader goal of maintaining maximum pressure on Iran.
However, a senior Israeli official, in response to a request for comment from The Washington Post regarding the U.S. intelligence analysis, countered that "the sole purpose of Israel's military activities in Lebanon is to protect Israeli citizens from Hezbollah's persistent attacks."
The U.S. Trump administration has publicly warned Israel not to carry out attacks on Hezbollah that could derail the cease-fire negotiations.
During a press conference at the G7 summit on June 17, President Trump emphasized the achievements of the cease-fire agreement while acknowledging that he has "some disagreements" with Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding the Lebanon issue.
He stated that he had urged Prime Minister Netanyahu "not to blow up a building every time a Hezbollah member enters it."
Nevertheless, following the announcement of the U.S.-Iran cease-fire agreement, Israel launched airstrikes across southern Lebanon, citing a Hezbollah drone attack that claimed the lives of four of its soldiers between the night of June 18 and the morning of June 19.
Due to the fallout from the armed clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, the in-person talks between the U.S. and Iran that were scheduled to be held in Switzerland today were canceled.
The Washington Post pointed out, "If Prime Minister Netanyahu intensifies military operations in Lebanon, it not only threatens the framework of the (cease-fire) agreement signed by the U.S. and Iran, but also risks rupturing his relationship with the U.S. President, which has been a key political asset for him."
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.