Hezbollah may attack Israel within days, strategy not fully aligned with Iran: Report

Lebanon-based Hezbollah appears to be advancing its plans to strike Israel independently of Iran. Tehran is still deciding on what its response strategy should be. Hezbollah, however, is moving much more rapidly.

CNN cited one source familiar with the latest intelligence as saying that Hezbollah could potentially act within days. The same person said Iran has not yet completed all the preparations that the US would expect prior to a significant attack on Israel.

The news outlet quoted another source as saying that due to Lebanon’s proximity to Israel, Hezbollah could launch an attack with minimal notice, unlike Iran, which would require more substantial preparations.

There is uncertainty regarding the level of coordination between Iran and Hezbollah, Iran’s most influential proxy. The second source suggested that some officials believe the two entities may not be fully aligned on their strategies moving forward.

The urgency in Hezbollah’s actions follows the killing of its top military commander, Fu’ad Shukr, by Israel in Lebanon last week. Additionally, Israel is widely believed to have assassinated Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, although Israel has not confirmed or denied involvement.

In response to these developments, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held an extraordinary meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to address the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The resulting draft communiqué condemned Israel’s actions and reaffirmed solidarity with the Palestinian cause, specifically denouncing the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader and former Palestinian Prime Minister, in Tehran. The OIC labeled the act as a “heinous crime” and a violation of international law, warning that such actions undermine regional security and stability.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have been actively engaging with Middle Eastern leaders, including those from Jordan, Qatar, and Egypt, emphasizing the need for de-escalation amid the rising tensions.This unfolding situation is being closely monitored by countries around the world, as the potential for conflict in the region grows.