The United States has refused Israel’s request to impose sanctions on Lebanon and the Lebanese army so they would take responsibility for Hezbollah digging tunnels into Israel. However, the administration agreed to impose more sanctions on Hezbollah for the tunnels.
US sources in Tel Aviv indicated that the Israeli request has been proposed through several channels, most recently during the meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Brussels.
During his conversation with Pompeo, Netanyahu asked Washington to impose sanctions on Lebanon so it would take responsibility for violating UN Resolution 1701.
He claimed it was imperative to impose new sanctions that would prevent Hezbollah from causing a new war with Israel, warning that such a war would cause major damage to the Lebanese infrastructure.
The PM reiterated that US should impose sanctions that would force the Lebanese officials to change their policy towards Hezbollah.
But US officials rejected Israel’s formula, saying that the problem is Hezbollah. Washington made it clear that the United States and Lebanon have close military ties and there is no interest in undermining them.
However, Pompeo agreed that the sanctions already imposed on Hezbollah should be tightened, especially on the financial level.
Although Netanyahu welcomed more pressure on Hezbollah, he was disappointed after his meeting with Pompeo.
Through his request, the PM is trying to equate the Lebanese government with Hezbollah and accuses Lebanese President Michel Aoun, Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Army Commander General Joseph Aoun of conducting a policy that helps Hezbollah.
Netanyahu is also trying to pressure the UNIFIL forces to play a more radical role in preventing Hezbollah from committing attacks against Israel.
The Israeli PM held a meeting with Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini in Jerusalem on Sunday, and criticized Italian commander of UN interim force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, General Stefano del Col, claiming he was lenient with Hezbollah.
Netanyahu said: "You have an Italian commander in UNIFIL. We think UNIFIL has to do a stronger job, tougher job, and prevent Hezbollah's aggression against Israel, but ultimately it's the responsibility of the international community."
Netanyahu organized a tour for Salvini in the tunnels that were discovered and said the tunnels were “a blatant act of aggression against Israel and against international norms.”
