US blocks wider Israeli attack on Hezbollah after deadly Lebanon blast, saving peace talks - report

The United States reportedly intervened to limit Israel's potential military response in southern Lebanon after an explosion killed two Israeli reservists and wounded four others. The incident occurred near Majdal Zoun when Israeli troops entered a booby-trapped building. Lebanese media cited political and official sources, suggesting Washington's intervention prevented an escalation that could have jeopardized ceasefire negotiations underway in Rome.

According to the report, Israel had intended to launch a broader attack on Hezbollah following the deaths of Maj. (res.) Harel Birenstock and Master-Sgt. (res.) Tamir Vaknin. However, the U.S. reportedly blocked this proposed response, an action described as "decisive" in "saving the third day of negotiations in Rome."

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The "decisive" American intervention "saved the third day of negotiations in Rome."

The Israeli Defense Forces are investigating the incident, with Defense Minister Israel Katz questioning the decision for soldiers to enter the booby-trapped building. The troops were part of an operation in an area not yet inspected under a trilateral agreement between Israel, the U.S., and Lebanon. The investigation is examining whether proper clearance procedures, including the use of specialized equipment and canine units, were followed before the soldiers entered the structure.

This event has heightened concerns within the IDF about Hezbollah's potential to booby-trap more buildings, a tactic previously employed by Hamas in Gaza. The IDF is focused on reinforcing operational directives to prioritize the destruction of terrorist infrastructure over entering potentially dangerous structures.

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Katz asked why troops had entered the structure and requested that operational directives be reinforced in line with his policy, emphasizing the destruction of terrorist infrastructure rather than entering such buildings.