Iran's Possible Reevaluation of Attack on Israel; Hezbollah to Strike Independently

Amid concerns in the region and the world about the potential escalation of the Gaza conflict into a broader confrontation between Iran and Israel, CNN reported that Hezbollah may independently launch an attack on Israel before Iran does. Simultaneously, the American news site Politico reported that the Islamic Republic might be reconsidering its retaliatory strike against Israel following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas's political bureau, on Iranian soil. In response to Hezbollah's potential actions, the Israeli Defense Minister assessed that evidence suggests Hassan Nasrallah is leading Lebanon toward paying the 'heaviest price' for this action. These assessments come as reports from Channel 12 in Israel indicate that the government of Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that any Iranian attack on Israel will be met with a strike on Iranian territory. Following the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, just hours after the targeted killing of Foad Shukr, a senior military commander of Hezbollah in Beirut's Dahieh, the Islamic Republic's leader emphasized 'blood vengeance' and Hezbollah's promises of retaliation, raising concerns in the region and globally. CNN reported on August 8, citing 'two informed sources,' that Hezbollah is likely to attack Israel independently of any actions Iran plans against it. According to one of CNN's sources, Hezbollah is moving 'faster than Iran' in its planning for a retaliatory strike and aims to hit Israel in the coming days. Meanwhile, multiple officials told CNN that Iran is still assessing how to plan its response to Israel. In a phone conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the Islamic Republic will not remain silent in the face of aggression and will act according to international law. The Israeli Defense Minister stated that evidence shows Hassan Nasrallah has decided to lead Lebanon to a place where it will pay the 'heaviest price,' but they cannot imagine what awaits them; however, 'if they put a picture of Gaza in front of their eyes, they will understand.' His reference was to the destruction of a large part of Gaza in the ongoing war in the strip. The Chief of Staff of the Israeli army also stated that the army is in 'peak readiness' and knows how to strike quickly 'anywhere in the Middle East.' According to Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi during a visit to the Tel Nof airbase, Israel 'knows how to carry out a very rapid attack anywhere in Lebanon, anywhere in Gaza, anywhere in the Middle East, on land and underground, and anyone who attacks Israel and claims in every speech how they will destroy Israel will be harmed, and we are becoming stronger.' An Axios news site reported that Israel has informed the U.S. that Hezbollah will pay an 'disproportionate price' if it attacks Israeli civilians. According to two Israeli officials, Israeli officials and senior figures in the Israeli Defense Ministry have conveyed this message through several military channels to their counterparts in the Pentagon and CENTCOM, the U.S. Central Army. At the same time, Channel 12 in Israel reported that Israel has stated it will respond to any Iranian attack with a strike on Iranian territory. According to Gili Cohen, a political reporter for Channel 12, Israel's position has reached the awareness of Western governments, and it is assessed that this message has also been conveyed to Iran. Amir Halevi, a parliament member from the ruling Likud party, stated in an interview with Yedioth Ahronoth on August 9 that the goal of Israel's response to Iran should be to overthrow the Tehran regime. Meanwhile, the publication of news recommending foreign airlines to refrain from flying in Iranian airspace for three hours on Thursday morning heightened public concern in Israel about the potential for an attack during those hours. Streets in Israeli cities have been quieter than usual this week, and many businesses closed earlier than usual. According to Israeli media, people prefer to stay home and near safe places. Israeli media presenters say their country has grown tired of waiting for missile attacks from Iran and Hezbollah and their other allies over the past eight days. In response to public concerns, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indirectly urged the public to be patient. According to Channel 12, the Israeli army has not yet changed its instructions for the normal life of the people, but military officials have decided in their meetings when to formally warn the public before the potential start of attacks on Israel. The Canadian government announced on Wednesday that due to security concerns in Israel, it has transferred the children of its diplomats from Israel to a third country. Some governments, such as Japan, have warned their citizens about traveling to Israel. Dozens of airlines have also extended the cancellation of their flights to and from Israel for the coming days. Several European low-cost airlines have stated that they will not have flights to Israel until spring next year. Meanwhile, many governments around the world, including regional countries, have recently urged their citizens to leave Lebanon immediately. Beirut airport has witnessed unprecedented crowds of citizens leaving their country due to fears of an Israeli retaliatory attack against Hezbollah. At the same time, in some areas of Lebanon, signs have been posted urging Hezbollah to refrain from dragging the country into war. According to AFP, these public writings state: 'Enough, we are tired, Lebanon does not want war.'