US official signals support for Israeli escalation over alleged Hezbollah ceasefire violations: Axios

A senior U.S. official said the Trump administration would support an escalation in Israeli military action in response to what it described as ceasefire violations by Hezbollah, according to Axios correspondent Barak Ravid.

The official said Hezbollah had ignored repeated requests to stop firing at Israel, including a recent ultimatum, adding that Israel “will never be expected to passively absorb attacks on its forces and civilians,” stressing that “this is not the Biden administration.”

He said that since April 17, Hezbollah has fired more than 1,000 drones and over 700 rockets in an effort to disrupt ongoing negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, calling the situation “untenable.”

The official placed full responsibility for the escalation on Hezbollah, saying it broke the ceasefire on March 2 and is now seeking to block what he described as a path for Lebanon toward peace and reconstruction.

He added that Hezbollah views direct negotiations between the Lebanese government and Israel—backed by the United States—as an existential threat.

According to the official, a successful ceasefire led by the Lebanese government would weaken Hezbollah’s power and undermine its narrative.