Quotes
Iran also likely wants to mobilize proxy forces in case of a ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah so it can increase threats to Israel on other fronts,
Frantzman said
These strikes may briefly disrupt the transport of men and weapons between Iraq and Syria, but these groups have shown their ability to adapt and resume their activities quickly,
said Omar Abu Layla, director of Deir Ezzor 24, a news and research network focused on eastern SyriaIran may be moving proxies around Iraq and Syria in order to threaten Israel and may feel the need to move them more often so that they preserve operational security in case of Israeli retaliation,
he told VOAThese types of strikes eliminate people who are irreplaceable in other respects,
Smyth saidThis would include those in Lebanon and Syria, particularly the latter, given how Hezbollah still needs to command its 3,000-7,500 [militants] that currently occupy the country,
he told VOA.jpg)
We have made significant progress with getting towards a resolution,
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters
The October 7 attack, orchestrated by Hamas and supported by Iran, saw Hezbollah join the conflict, linking its fate to the war in Gaza and the atrocities of the October 7 massacre,
the statement read in part
We haven’t finalized it, but we are moving forward,
he saidOf course, we are also in favor of a ceasefire,
Larijani said
The president has been consistent on this that he wants to make sure across the administration, and that certainly includes us here at the National Security Council, that we are doing everything that we can to affect a professional and an orderly transition, ... and we ... we continue to urge the incoming team to take the steps that are necessary to be able to facilitate that on their end as well."
Kirby saidWe are where we are today because of a lot of back and forth, a lot of discussions, a lot of work, principally by Amos, of course, and we believe we've reached this point where we're close,
Kirby saidThe Lebanese authorities – either Mr. Nabih Berri or his friends or Hezbollah – are carefully examining these issues and possess very good capacities to address them,
he addedBut again, I want to be careful and cautious here on how I characterize it because until you get everything done, you don't have a deal,
he addedNothing is done until everything is done,
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Monday
Hezbollah is here to stay, and they don’t like us … but we had 17 years of peace after the last war with them [in 2006]. The Middle East being what it is there will be something else of course but if we get another 15 years of calm, that’d be OK. It’d be enough for my kids to grow up,
Bergman said
There is a very direct link between the people who live on the border here, and those who live on the border in Gaza … When they were attacked [on 7 October last year] we felt we would be too. We had seen [Hezbollah elite] forces building up and we knew they were watching us,
Shelef saidThere is massive resentment in the town. The two communities have very different views of this war.”
Yamit Malul Yanai, a commentator and lawyer from Kiryat Shmona who was interviewed in a rocket shelter during repeated alerts, said
When people get back to the settlements along the border with Lebanon, after reaching the agreement with Hezbollah, they will be able to go back … knowing that they’re going to live there safe and sound.”
Avi Dichter, an Israeli minister and member of the security cabinet, told the Guardian on SundayThe residents of Kiryat Shmona don’t want to be a human shield for the rest of the country. We have to have a real deal, a real victory or we won’t go back. I don’t think we are close to the end of this war.”
She addedWe are not expecting a promise of eternal peace. I just want a quiet life to raise my kids and I know that the Lebanese people over the fence want the same … All wars end in diplomatic agreements so this will too,
he said