Israel vows to continue operations against Hezbollah regardless of any Iran deal: Report

JERUSALEM

Tel Aviv is determined to continue its fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon regardless of any potential deal with Iran, an Israeli security source said Wednesday evening.

The remarks, reported by Hebrew news outlet Walla, come amid growing reports that Washington could announce a ceasefire with Tehran in the coming days.

According to the unnamed source: “Israel is working to completely sever the operational and political link between Iran and Hezbollah.”

“The Israeli political leadership is determined to continue its campaign in Lebanon against Hezbollah until its objectives are achieved, regardless of any potential arrangements with the extremist regime in Tehran.”

The source also said: “The Iranians are trying to create a formula that would allow continued rocket fire toward Israel if the Israeli army does not stop fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon,” adding: “We will not allow this linkage.”

Earlier Wednesday, Israel’s public broadcaster cited an informed source as saying that Israel fears the US could temporarily halt fighting to allow negotiations with Iran.

*Writing by Rania Abushamala in Istanbul.