(Sep. 27, 2024 / JNS) “We understand that you need to respond against Hezbollah and increase the temperature—but leave room for a diplomatic solution.”

This was the message conveyed in recent days by U.S. officials to their Israeli counterparts in a series of phone calls, according to sources with knowledge of the conversations.

“We know you need to go up the ladder when it comes to the question what kind of response is needed here—but don’t go all the way up. Don’t lead to a full-scale war,” Jeffrey Feltman, former U.S. ambassador to Lebanon, told JNS.