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Israel Tells U.S. It Is Committed to Lebanon Ceasefire and Responding Only to Hizbullah Violations
(Israel Hayom) Danny Zaken - Israel told the U.S. over the weekend that IDF forces in southern Lebanon are committed to the ceasefire. All fire from Israel is in response to Hizbullah violations, operational fire intended to evacuate casualties, and preemptive fire against rocket launchers. After each incident since Thursday night, contacts were held with the Americans at all levels, including between the Prime Minister's Office and the White House. Diplomatic sources say Iran was behind all the weekend attacks in which five IDF soldiers were killed. Israel had warned the Americans in advance that linking the memorandum of understanding to the situation in Lebanon would lead to an escalation of the confrontation with Hizbullah, and that Iran would initiate attacks to create the crisis and deepen the rift between Jerusalem and Washington. Former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer warned that the sensitivity of relations with the U.S. at this time, after the memorandum of understanding, requires Israel not to be seen by the administration as the party destroying American efforts to end the war. He warned against direct attacks on the president.