TEL AVIV — As fighting between Hezbollah and Israel escalated this week, with Israeli warplanes mounting their longest-range strike yet against targets in Lebanon, senior Israeli officials poured cold water on US and French efforts to mediate a deal between them.
“The chances of achieving a diplomatic solution to the disputes between Hezbollah and Israel are diminishing,” a senior Israeli political source told Al-Monitor, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “We greatly appreciate the efforts of American mediator Amos Hochstein and the beneficial involvement of the French, but Hezbollah came into this world to fight Israel, not to reach agreements with it, and those who want to fight will find themselves at war.”
Hezbollah slowly but steadily increases attacks
Hezbollah began striking targets in Israel a few days after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas in southern Israel.
