'US veto' prohibits Israel from striking Beirut and its southern suburbs

The reason the Israeli army has not carried out an attack in Beirut and its southern suburbs despite the latest escalation is an "American veto," unnamed sources told Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth on Wednesday.

Israel's Channel 12 meanwhile reported that "there are behind-the-scenes disagreements between the political and military echelons in Israel regarding managing the escalation in Lebanon."

Channel 12 had reported Tuesday that the U.S. had asked Israel on Monday not to attack Beirut and not to "destroy buildings" in it, but an Israeli official said "there is approval for targeted assassinations in Beirut given an operational opportunity."