In response to a deadly rocket strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Israel prepares for potential retaliation against Hezbollah, while diplomatic efforts aim to prevent escalation.
Bollywood Fever: Israel aims to hurt Hezbollah without dragging the Middle East into all-out war, two Israeli officials said on Monday, as Lebanon braces for retaliation after a rocket strike that killed 12 children and teenagers in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Two other Israeli officials mentioned that Israel is preparing for a few days of fighting following Saturday’s rocket strike at a sports field in a Druze town, which Israel blames on the Iranian-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah. However, Hezbollah has denied any involvement.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian warned of “serious consequences” for Israel if it attacks Lebanon, during a call with French President Emmanuel Macron. Pezeshkian did not elaborate on the specifics.
All four Israeli officials, including a senior defense official and a diplomatic source, spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity and provided no further information about Israel’s plans for retaliation.
“The estimation is that the response will not lead to an all-out war,” said the diplomatic source. “That would not be in our interest at this point.”
After visiting Majdal Shams, the site of Saturday’s attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, “The state of Israel will not and cannot let this pass. Our response will come and it will be harsh.”
Both Israel and Hezbollah have tried to avoid full-scale war since they began trading blows in October. The United States is leading diplomatic efforts to deter Israel from striking Beirut or major civil infrastructure. Five people with knowledge of the matter said the focus has been to constrain Israel’s response by urging it against targeting densely populated areas or key infrastructure like airports and bridges.
Saturday’s incident has raised concerns that months of cross-border hostilities could escalate into a broader war. An Israeli drone strike on Monday killed two Hezbollah fighters and three others, including an infant, in south Lebanon. These were the first fatalities in Lebanon since Saturday’s incident.
The Israeli military reported downing a drone that crossed from Lebanon into the Western Galilee area on Monday.
‘Limited’ Response Flagged
Israel’s security cabinet has authorized Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to decide on the manner and timing of a response to Saturday’s strike. Gallant told U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday that “Iranian proxy Hezbollah” would be held responsible for the rocket strike.
Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper quoted unidentified officials as saying the response would be “limited but significant.” Options range from attacking infrastructure, such as bridges and power plants, to targeting Hezbollah arms depots or commanders.
Exacerbated by the Gaza conflict, hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah have been their worst since their war in 2006. Hezbollah, an ally of Palestinian militant group Hamas, has said its attacks on Israel aim to support Palestinians and indicated it will cease fire only when Israel’s offensive on Gaza stops.
The conflict at the Israel-Lebanon border has displaced tens of thousands of people on both sides. While Washington blames Hezbollah for the rocket strike and defends Israel’s right to respond, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of preventing escalation in a call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. They discussed efforts to reach a diplomatic solution to allow displaced people to return home.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby also said the Golan incident should not affect ongoing negotiations on a ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
The U.N. peacekeeping mission in south Lebanon said it had intensified contacts with Israel and Lebanese authorities to de-escalate tensions. “Nobody wants to start a wider conflict, but a miscalculation could trigger one. There is still space for a diplomatic solution,” spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said.
Flights at Beirut’s international airport have been canceled or delayed. Jordan’s flag carrier Royal Jordanian has suspended flights to Beirut on Monday and Tuesday.
Hezbollah has denied firing the rocket that killed the youngsters, stating it had targeted a military installation in the Golan Heights. Israel seized the border region from Syria after the 1967 war and has since annexed it, a move not generally recognized internationally, though the U.S. considers it part of Israel.
Since October, Israeli strikes have killed around 350 Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon and more than 100 civilians, according to security and medical sources and a Reuters tally of Hezbollah death notifications. Israel reports 23 civilian and at least 17 soldier deaths from Hezbollah attacks since October.
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