The Israel Defense Force said it was on “high alert” as the country braces for a response following the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran two days ago.
Israel has not claimed responsibility for the killing although the widespread view in the region points to the hand of the Jewish state.
Haniyeh was killed in a guest house in Tehran run by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Reports say a bomb smuggled into the house over a month was remotely triggered killing him and his bodyguard.
Meanwhile President Joe Biden, spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu and stressed America’s commitment to defending Israel “against all threats from Iran”. They discussed new US military deployments against possible attacks from missiles and drones.
The US believes it may take several days for Iran to launch an attack, as Supreme Leader Khamenei has threatened.
Reports say Tel Aviv is working to finalise the coordination of a regional and international coalition to thwart a potential response by Iran and Hezbollah to the killing of Haniyeh, and Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr, whose death has been confirmed by Israel.
“We struck on Tuesday night in Lebanon and killed Fuad Shukr in an accurate aerial strike,” IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told journalists.
Hagari also confirmed that “the IDF is on high alert both in defence and in attack. IDF troops are deployed in the air, at sea and on the ground and are ready for any scenario with plans to carry out attacks in the immediate time frame.”
Israeli television reported that fighter jets were armed and waiting on the tarmac at various airbases, ready to launch an attack or defend against one.
Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on the northern Israeli border community of Metzuba, 48 hours after the strike that killed Fuad Shukr. Israel said its defences intercepted the rockets and its forces had struck a rocket launcher in south Lebanon.
Reports said Israel had conveyed a message to Hezbollah through third parties that Shukr’s killing was retaliation for Hezbollah’s killing of 12 children on Saturday, and that civilians must not be targeted.
