Iran and its proxies in Lebanon, Gaza and Yemen could attack Israel as early as Monday to retaliate for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, according to reports. The fear of the widening Middle East crisis has also brought Gen. Michael Kurilla, a senior US defence official, to Tel Aviv.
Three American and Israeli officials told US media Axios that they expected Iran to attack Israel as early as Monday.
Washington also believes that though the Iranian retaliation will be similar to the April 13 attack, it could potentially be larger in scope and involve Hezbollah in Lebanon. On Sunday, Hezbollah fired over 50 Katyusha rockets at northern Israel. Though many projectiles were intercepted by the Iron Dome system, several impacts were recognised, especially in the Beit Hillel region.
Though Israel has not claimed responsibility for the murder of Haniyeh or Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr, the US general in charge of American forces in the Middle East arrived in Tel Aviv on Saturday in a bid to oversee the preparations and mobilise the regional coalition that saw it defend Israel against an attack from Iran on April. 13, added Axios.
Gen Kurilla is also expected to visit several Gulf countries, including Jordan. During the April 13 Iranian attack, Jordanians played a significant role by intercepting Israel-bound Iranian drones that entered their territory. Jordan also allowed US and Israeli jets to use their air space to intercept Iranian drones.
The US has already mobilised its troops near the area by deploying more combat aircraft and warships, a move they aimed would deter Iran and influence their military plans. Iran and its proxies are still working on finalizing their military plans and approving them at the political level.
Iran has already made it clear that it expected Hezbollah to strike deeper inside Israel, including civilian targets.
A spokesperson for Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations told CBS that until now though Hezbollah followed an unwritten understanding with Israel that it would only target military objectives and shallow zones, things have changed.
"However, the [Israeli] regime’s attack on the Dahieh [neighborhood] in Beirut and the targeting of a residential building marked a deviation from these boundaries. We anticipate that, in its response, Hezbollah will choose both broader and deeper targets, and will not restrict itself solely to military targets and means," the spokesperson said.