TEL AVIV — Israel is preparing for a prolonged and potentially devastating assault from Iran and Hezbollah, following the recent high-profile assassinations of key militant figures. A senior Israeli official, speaking to NBC News, has indicated that the nation anticipates a sustained barrage of missiles and drones over the coming days as retaliation for the deaths of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr.
Wear Us Out
The official warned that the strikes could come in waves, aiming to “wear us out,” signaling a new and intense phase in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has already seen escalating tensions throughout the past ten months.
The conflict reached a new peak last Tuesday when an Israeli operation targeted Shukr in the southern suburbs of Beirut. The attack, which occurred in a predominantly Shia neighborhood, resulted in the deaths of three civilians, including two children, and left 74 others injured, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
Ismail Haniyeh Killed
In a swift escalation, news emerged the following day that Ismail Haniyeh had been killed in Tehran during the early hours of Wednesday morning. Haniyeh, who was in Iran for the inauguration of new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, was a high-value target for Israeli forces.
The assassination has further strained diplomatic relations. U.S. President Joe Biden expressed concerns over the impact of Haniyeh’s killing on efforts to broker a cease-fire in Gaza, describing a “tense” conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. With the U.S. pushing hard for a resolution, Biden’s administration is keen on achieving a cease-fire during his presidency.
Israeli negotiators met in Cairo on Saturday to discuss possible resolutions but departed without significant progress, according to the Israeli official.
In response to the assassinations, Iranian officials have vowed retribution, although Iran has not officially claimed responsibility for Haniyeh’s death. Hezbollah’s leadership has also threatened retaliation, promising that Israel would suffer for the attacks.
Iran’s Response
The potential Iranian retaliation could echo a previous assault on April 13, when Iran launched a coordinated attack on Israel with hundreds of missiles and drones. This time, however, the strikes may come in a more protracted and distributed fashion, with Hezbollah attacking from the north and Iran’s longer-range weapons targeting from the east.
This situation marks the second direct Iranian attack on Israel this year, a notable shift from their typical strategy of proxy engagement in regional conflicts.
A Broader Regional War
Efforts to prevent a broader regional war have been ongoing since the October 7 Hamas terror attack, which resulted in significant casualties and kidnappings. Despite diplomatic attempts, attacks from Hezbollah and the Houthis—both Iran-backed militias—continue, fueled by their support for the Palestinian cause.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s death toll continues to rise, nearing 40,000, with families of hostages still pleading for a resolution that would see their loved ones returned. Some of these families were detained last month during protests against Netanyahu’s visit to Congress in the U.S., highlighting the deepening crisis and the urgent call for a resolution.