Israeli Official to Reuters: We Were Unaware of IRGC Member's Presence in Hezbollah Convoy

"An Israeli security official" stated in an interview with Reuters that the country was unaware of the presence of a senior member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the Hezbollah convoy during an attack that resulted in the deaths of members of this convoy. On Sunday, the 28th of Dey, an attack targeted vehicles carrying commanders and activists of the Shiite organization Hezbollah in the Quneitra region of the Syrian Golan Heights, resulting in the death of Mohammad Ali Allahdadi, a senior IRGC commander, alongside Hezbollah forces. Hezbollah confirmed the deaths of six of its members, including Jihad Mughniyeh and Mohammad Issa. Jihad Mughniyeh was the son of Imad Mughniyeh, a senior Hezbollah commander who was killed in a bombing in Damascus in February 2008, but his name remains a "legend" for Hezbollah. Initial reports from Reuters indicated the deaths of six Iranians in this attack as well. The Islamic Republic of Iran confirmed the death of Mohammad Ali Allahdadi, a former IRGC commander in Yazd province, known as "Sepah al-Ghadir." Hezbollah, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Western media attributed this attack to Israel. Official Israeli officials have remained silent on this matter but stated they are "prepared" for any potential response. The funeral of Mohammad Ali Allahdadi, a senior IRGC commander, was held. On Tuesday, the 30th of Dey, Reuters published an interview with "a senior Israeli security official" who reportedly said that Israel was unaware of the presence of an "Iranian general" or other senior Hezbollah officials in this convoy. This "Israeli security official" told Reuters that Israel believed only "lower-ranking" Hezbollah forces were in the convoy. This official added, "We are almost certain they will respond, but escalating the conflict under current conditions is not in the interest of either side." Reuters assessed that this Israeli official's interview indicates that the country does not want to engage directly in tensions with Iran and is not seeking to escalate the crisis with Hezbollah. Israeli media claimed hours after the deaths of Mohammad Ali Allahdadi and Hezbollah forces that the Hezbollah convoy was "installing missile launch pads in the Syrian Golan Heights towards Israel." Hezbollah stated in its statements that the convoy was conducting "inspections" in the area. Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, stated last Thursday in an interview with the Lebanese channel Al-Mayadeen that Hezbollah forces are not in the Syrian Golan Heights. Moshe Ya'alon, Israel's Defense Minister, told his country's media on Sunday night that Nasrallah claimed that none of his forces were in the area, and the deaths of Hezbollah activists contradicted his statements, making it his duty to explain this contradiction. Meanwhile, Ya'alon did not take responsibility for the attack on the mentioned convoy. Israeli media reported that the country's army advised farmers along the border with Lebanon and the Golan Heights to refrain from working in their fields as they might be targeted by fire from across the borders. Israel has also deployed the "Iron Dome" defense system in these borders. Hezbollah has stated that its forces are on standby. Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, has yet to comment on the deaths of Jihad Mughniyeh and other activists of this organization. Mohammad Ali Jafari, the Commander of the IRGC, stated on Tuesday, the 30th of Dey, in a statement that "deadly thunderbolts will soon descend upon Israel." The IRGC Commander added that the IRGC will stand firm until the "collapse" and "complete elimination of this germ of corruption from the political geography of the region," stating, "as we have previously shown our anger." According to Fars News Agency, Mr. Jafari said on Wednesday, the 1st of Bahman, at the funeral of Mohammad Ali Allahdadi in Iran that the "sacred and beautiful composition of the recent martyrs in the Quneitra region reflects the unity of the Islamic Ummah and... heralds the victory of the dear Quds."