Tensions Escalate Between Hezbollah and Israel
The assassination of Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh in Iran has further increased tensions in the region on the Iran-Lebanon-Israel front. Two sources with intelligence access to CNN and knowledge of the matter suggested that Hezbollah’s response to the killing of its top military commander Fuad Shoukr in Beirut and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran is proceeding independently of Iran and that the group is becoming increasingly prepared.
Hezbollah’s Rapid Response
One source said that Hezbollah was moving much faster than Iran in preparing for the attack. The second source emphasized that Iran’s retaliation plans were still under discussion, and that Hezbollah could launch an attack suddenly without giving any warning, given its presence on the Israeli border. This shows how complex the dynamics in the region are.
- Hebrew media believe that a large-scale attack in the coming days will be launched by Hezbollah rather than Iran.
According to Israeli broadcaster Channel 12, Israeli officials have told their allies that any harm to civilians in the country would be a red line and would lead to a disproportionate response.
The Risk of Tension Turning into War
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has argued that the escalating tensions with Hezbollah could escalate to war following the killing of one of its senior commanders in the Lebanese capital Beirut. Gallant said that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah “It could lead Lebanon to pay a very heavy price”by putting forward, “This could turn into a war. This is not theoretical, this is real.”He commented as follows. These statements reveal how tension and uncertainty in the region can reach a dangerous point.