Among the many scenarios feared by Israel is a coordinated attack on multiple fronts. Their concern, which its enemies promised under the slogan of "unity on all fronts," has been materializing more and more every day since the Palestinian Islamist resistance movement Hamas unleashed Operation Al-Aqsa Flood from the Gaza Strip on Saturday, October 7. On Tuesday, Israel was also targeted by sporadic fire from southern Lebanon, where Palestinian factions operate with the backing of Hezbollah, as well as from southern Syria, near the occupied Golan Heights, where the Lebanese Shiite movement and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards are suspected of sending reinforcements.
The Israeli army reported Wednesday a "suspected infiltration" from Lebanon into Israeli air space while sirens blared in cities and towns across Israel's northern border. The army's Home Front Command asked residents of the cities of Beit She'an, Safed and Tiberias to shelter "until further notice" fearing a "large-scale attack."
Operation Al-Aqsa Flood is echoed by the rhetoric of the leaders of the "Axis of Resistance" who, from Iran's Supreme Guide Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, have vowed to annihilate Israel. Their threats have so far only led to limited operations on the northern front. Any departure from the status quo increases the risk of escalation. "We will not abandon the Palestinian people, and we will not have a policy of neutrality in the conflict. Let Israel and the United States understand that! If Israel continues its scorched-earth policy [in Gaza], it will accelerate the opening of a front in Lebanon," promised Hoballah, in charge of relations between Palestinian factions for Hezbollah.
The former MP set out three red lines, the crossing of which would make the Party of God's entry into the war inevitable: "If Israel invades Gaza and cuts the head off Hamas or annihilates the population. If there is a new forced exodus of Palestinians from their land. And if sacred religious sites in Palestine are hit." In his office in the heart of Beirut's southern suburbs, there was no sign of unusual agitation. The tension palpable at the border had not spread to the Lebanese capital. "I advise Israel to end the war and exchange Palestinian detainees for Hamas hostages," he said.
The Israelis are convinced that Hezbollah will launch an attack after the launch of a ground operation in the Gaza Strip. Israel has prepared for this eventuality. Operational plans are ready. Several tens of thousands of men, among the 360,000 reservists who have been mobilized, will be deployed on this front. Border towns have been evacuated. The potential attack is also haunting Washington. The first US aircraft carrier has been sent close to the Israeli coast as a deterrent. Should this fail, the Biden administration could ask Congress for the green light to intervene.
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