The Iranian government has issued a warning, suggesting that Hezbollah, driven by a desire for revenge, is expected to target civilian locations deeper within Israel following the assassination of Fuad Shukr, the group’s top military commander, on Tuesday.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have promised that Israel will face “severe punishment at the right time, place, and manner” in response to Shukr’s killing in Beirut. They also announced that Hezbollah will now expand its attacks beyond military sites.
The strike that killed Shukr also resulted in the deaths of five civilians and was described as having been “supported by the United States.” In reaction, the US has sent additional warships and fighter jets to the region to help protect Israel from potential Hezbollah attacks.
Hours after Shukr’s death, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in a bomb explosion at a Tehran guesthouse where he had been staying. The bomb was allegedly planted by Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency. The explosion also claimed the lives of twelve others.
On Saturday, Israeli airstrikes in the West Bank resulted in the deaths of nine Palestinian militants, including senior Hezbollah figure Ali Nazih Abed Ali. The Israeli army reported that a vehicle carrying five men, allegedly on their way to launch a terrorist attack, was struck near Tulkarem. Additionally, four other militants were killed in the same region after firing on Israeli troops.
In response to the escalating conflict, France and Austria have suspended all flights to and from Israel and Beirut until Tuesday. Meanwhile, a high-level Israeli delegation has arrived in Cairo for ongoing talks aimed at establishing a ceasefire and negotiating the release of hostages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sent representatives to these discussions, which will be mediated by Egyptian and Qatari officials. Netanyahu is seeking an international embargo on arms transfers from Southern Gaza to the north as part of any potential peace agreement.