Hezbollah threatens imminent attack on Israel

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah addressed supporters via video during a ceremony commemorating top commander Fuad Shukr, killed by an Israeli airstrike a week earlier. The event took place on August 6, 2024, in Beirut, Lebanon.

As The Times of Israel reports, Israeli officials increasingly suspect that Hezbollah, rather than Iran, will launch a major attack on Israel in the coming days, according to media reports on Wednesday. This comes amid reports that Tehran may be reconsidering its threatened large-scale assault.

CNN, citing two intelligence sources, reported that Hezbollah appears poised to act against Israel independently of Iran's response to the recent killings of Fuad Shukr and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. One source indicated that Hezbollah is moving faster than Iran in preparing for an attack, expected within days. Meanwhile, Iran is reportedly still finalizing its retaliation plans, with only partial preparations in place for a large-scale attack on Israel.

Unlike Iran, Hezbollah can likely initiate an attack with minimal warning due to Lebanon's proximity to Israel, according to the second source. It remains unclear whether Iran and Hezbollah are coordinating their efforts, with some officials believing they may have different approaches.

Channel 12 news reported that Israel has warned Hezbollah and Iran that any harm to Israeli civilians will trigger a disproportionate response. Israel is preparing for possible attacks on civilian infrastructure or Israeli-linked targets abroad, although there is no current intelligence suggesting specific overseas plots.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant participated in Home Front Command deliberations on Wednesday regarding when to issue a public warning and update guidance for Israeli citizens. However, no decision was made due to concerns about compromising intelligence sources. Citizens will be informed once an attack is imminent.

US officials, quoted by Politico, echoed previous reports that Iran might be reconsidering a large-scale attack on Israel. Efforts from the Biden administration and Middle East allies have pressured Tehran to rethink its plans. Iran has been warned that a multi-pronged attack on Israel could lead to direct confrontation.

President Masoud Pezeshkian reportedly urged Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to avoid a direct attack on Israel, warning it could devastate Iran's infrastructure and economy and deepen public discontent with the regime.

In response to the rising tensions, Britain and Egypt on Wednesday advised their airlines to avoid Iranian and Lebanese airspace over fears of a broader conflict. Egypt’s directive extends to all its carriers, including charter operators, during specified hours on Thursday due to planned Iranian military exercises.

This move follows a decade of heightened industry safety concerns about flying over conflict zones after the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014.

Iranian Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani spoke with Egypt’s foreign minister on Wednesday, emphasizing the need to avoid Iranian airspace during military exercises. This comes as a reminder of the 2020 incident when Iranian forces mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane amid tensions with the US.

Meanwhile, Jordanian authorities have instructed airlines landing at its airports to carry additional fuel as a precaution.

[Information sourced from The Times of Israel, CNN]