160 rockets fired from Lebanon on Israel today

The United States is warning Israel against “escalation” in Lebanon following fresh Wednesday remarks of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu which threatened a major offensive due to ratcheting Hezbollah attacks. “We are prepared for a very intense operation in the north. One way or another, we will restore security to the north,” Netanyahu said on a visit to the region.

“We don’t want to see that escalation of the conflict which would just lead to further loss of life from both Israelis and the Lebanese people and would greatly harm Israel’s overall security and stability in the region,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller responded in a daily briefing.