Netanyahu begs for US backing to bomb Hezbollah? US envoy meets Israeli officials for Lebanon talks

Israel reportedly shared critical Hezbollah-related intelligence with a visiting U.S. envoy, signaling growing concerns over the group’s rapid rearmament in southern Lebanon. The White House’s Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East arrived in Israel on December 2 to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. Sa’ar warned that Hezbollah is “arming much faster than it is disarming” and blamed the Lebanese government for failing to curb the group’s expansion. Alleged Iranian financial transfers to Hezbollah via Turkey were also highlighted. The visit came amid heightened tensions, with Lebanese officials fearing a potential Israeli strike as the December “Birthday Operation” deadline approaches, requiring the Lebanese Army to clear Hezbollah’s weapons from the south. Despite the 2024 truce, Israel continues near-daily strikes in southern Lebanon.