In response to a recent and devastating rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that resulted in the death of at least 12 children, the Israeli government is preparing for a retaliatory strike against Hezbollah, a pro-Iranian militant group based in Lebanon.
The attack, which occurred on Saturday, has prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant to be authorized by the security cabinet to decide on the timing and manner of the retaliatory action against Hezbollah.
Following the attack, Netanyahu’s office announced that the Prime Minister had issued a stern warning to Hezbollah, stating that the group would “pay a high price” for its aggression.
This statement comes amid escalating tensions and warnings from Western leaders against further expansion of the conflict in the Middle East.
In response to the increasing threat of an Israeli counterattack, Hezbollah has indicated that it is preparing for a severe response.
The rising tensions have had a significant impact on international travel to Lebanon. The Lebanese airline Middle East Airlines has postponed the return of some flights, while the Lufthansa Group, which includes SWISS, Lufthansa, and Eurowings, has suspended all flights to Beirut through August 5.
Initially, these cancellations were only set to last until Tuesday, but they have now been extended. Similarly, Air France has canceled flights from Paris to Beirut for safety reasons on Sunday and Tuesday.
In efforts to de-escalate the situation, U.S. officials have been engaged in diplomatic communications with counterparts in Israel and Lebanon and have exchanged messages with Iran.
Reports from the Wall Street Journal suggest that all parties involved have expressed a desire to avoid further escalation, despite the current tensions.
UK Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden has highlighted the potential severity of an escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, warning that it could surpass the impact of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The international community remains on alert as efforts continue to manage and de-escalate the situation in the region.