Israel weighs response as tensions mount with Hezbollah
Getting hotter in the Middle East. During the night from Saturday to Sunday, the Israeli security cabinet authorized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant to determine the timing and type of response to Hezbollah's Saturday attack on the Golan Heights.
In Saturday's rocket attack on a soccer field in the town of Majdal Shams, 12 children and teenagers were killed. More than 30 people were injured. It was the deadliest attack on Israeli civilians since the Hamas fighters' raid on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Israel blamed Lebanese Hezbollah for the attack and announced a "very serious response." On Sunday morning at approximately 7 a.m. Eastern time, Israeli air forces conducted raids on targets in southern Lebanon. Still, Israeli media consistently reported that the expected retaliatory attack on Hezbollah would be stronger than previous strikes on the organization.
According to information provided by Channel 12 television, far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir advocate for open war with Hezbollah. Still, Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defence Minister Gallant, and other ministers oppose this.
After obtaining authorization from the security cabinet, the decision on the form, timing, and scale of the response to Hezbollah's attack rests with the Israeli Prime Minister and Defence Minister.
Hot in the Middle East. Army on alert
The "Haaretz" newspaper, citing information from "Western diplomats," claims that significant efforts are currently being made to dissuade Israel from a reaction that could trigger a full-scale war.
In contrast, the "Israel Hayom" newspaper reports from government sources that Israeli authorities do not want to start a war now and are considering how the tension at the border with Lebanon will affect ongoing ceasefire negotiations in the war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
According to Channel 12, the Israeli army is ready to attack Hezbollah. Various scenarios are being considered, including striking targets unrelated to the organization in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib stated on Sunday evening at approximately 6 p.m. Eastern time that Beirut has received "reassuring" messages from "relevant" states that Israel's reaction will be "limited."
