Israel flagged Hezbollah threat before launching air attacks, leaked memo shows

"Israeli officials had told Washington that Hezbollah was reconstituting its military capabilities faster than the Lebanese armed forces could degrade them. It said neither Beirut nor Damascus could be trusted to contain the threat on Israel's northern borders."

"The cable indicated that Israel doubted Syria's new leaders could control their own security forces and was gravely alarmed by Turkish military entrenchment in Syria, which it warned could create a strategic threat to Israel's north."

"The cable said this suggested Ankara was pursuing a dual track managing relations with Tel Aviv privately while positioning itself militarily in Syria at Israel's expense."

A leaked US embassy cable reveals Israeli officials expressed doubts about Lebanon's ability to disarm Hezbollah before Israel's aerial campaign began. The assessment indicated Hezbollah was rebuilding military capabilities faster than Lebanese armed forces could neutralize them. Israeli officials also stated neither Beirut nor Damascus could be trusted to contain threats on Israel's northern border. The cable expressed grave concerns about Turkish military presence in Syria, warning it could pose strategic threats to Israel. Israeli officials accused Turkey of pursuing dual-track diplomacy, maintaining private de-confliction agreements with Israel while simultaneously positioning military forces in Syria against Israeli interests.

Read at www.theguardian.com