The Biden administration’s conflicting messages regarding its support for Israel in the ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza have left the Jewish state vulnerable to a potentially devastating attack from Hezbollah in Lebanon. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made contradictory statements, alternately claiming that Hamas must be destroyed, cannot be destroyed, and that Israel must completely withdraw from Gaza.
While the administration touts its “ironclad” commitment to Israel’s security, its focus on protecting Gazan civilians has led to a decision to withhold crucial offensive weapons, such as 500- and 2,000-lb. bombs and JDAM kits, which Israel needs to counter the looming threat from Hezbollah.
Hezbollah’s arsenal, estimated at 150,000 to 200,000 projectiles, dwarfs the threat posed by Hamas or even Iran. The group is capable of sustaining launch rates of 3,000 to 4,000 projectiles a day, potentially overwhelming Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system within days.
The Biden administration’s reliance on missile defense alone fails to grasp the gravity of the situation. In the event of a full-scale Hezbollah attack, the only way for Israel to counter the threat is through an invasion of southern Lebanon and intensive bombing raids to destroy Hezbollah’s missile stockpiles and military installations.
By forcing Israel to deplete its offensive munitions in the Gaza campaign, the Biden administration risks leaving the Jewish state ill-equipped to defend itself against a coordinated attack from Hezbollah and Iran. The United States must ensure that Israel has the necessary munitions to conduct offensive operations against its enemies, lest it face a doomsday scenario with little hope of effective U.S. intervention.
