Israel notified the United States moments before the attack in Beirut this Friday (27), according to an Israeli official and two Americans. There is no confirmation whether the US was aware of the target.
One of the US officials said that Israel informed the government that it would take military action when the operation was already underway and with planes in the air.
“We had no prior knowledge of this and this cannot be considered a warning,” commented the American official. The Israeli official stated that the notification was sent “shortly before” the attack and that the US played no role in the operation.
THE CNN reported earlier that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was the target of Israel’s attack.
A source close to the armed group told Reuters that Hezbollah’s secretary general, Hassan Nasrallah, is alive this Friday (27).
This is the second time in as many days that US officials have expressed frustration with the notice – or lack of – in advance of major Israeli operations in Lebanon.
Before Israel blew up hundreds of Hezbollah pagers last week, Israeli authorities notified the US that something was coming in Lebanon.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke with American Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on the morning of the attack, conveying the message. But the warnings lacked detail, officials said, adding that the country only became aware of the operation when reports of pager explosions in Lebanon began to emerge.
There was no further notification before explosions involving walkie-talkies broke out in the country a day later, authorities confirmed.
This Friday (27), Israel notified the US about another operation in Lebanon before the attacks, according to sources. Gallant would have spoken, once again, with Austin before the attacks, according to the Pentagon.
But “the operation was already underway”, highlighted the Pentagon’s deputy press secretary, Sabrina Singh.
“We had no prior warning,” Singh said, declining to say whether Gallant told the US the target was Nasrallah. “Having no involvement or knowledge that the attack would actually occur, we are still seeking more details and trying to understand the operation itself,” he added.
Understand the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah
Israel has launched a series of airstrikes on areas of Lebanon in recent days. On Monday (23), the country had its deadliest day since the 2006 war, with more than 500 fatalities. According to the Israeli military, the targets are members and military infrastructure of Hezbollah, one of the most powerful paramilitary forces in the Middle East and supported by Iran.
The offensive reached several points in Lebanon, including the country’s capital, Beirut. Thousands of people sought refuge in shelters and left cities in the south of the country.
Furthermore, a land incursion has not been ruled out.
Hezbollah and Israel began exchanging attacks after the start of the war in the Gaza Strip. The Lebanese group is an ally of Hamas, which invaded Israeli territory on October 7, 2023, killing hundreds of people and capturing hostages.
Due to the bombings, thousands of residents of northern Israel, where the border with Lebanon is located, had to be displaced. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised several times to return these citizens to their homes.
On September 17, Israel added the return of these residents as an official war objective.
A 15-year-old Brazilian teenager died after an Israeli airstrike. Itamaraty condemned the situation and called for an end to hostilities. The Brazilian government is also evaluating a possible rescue mission.
This content was originally published in Israel notified the United States moments before the attack in Beirut, say sources on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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