Local media reports indicated today, Thursday, that Israel has sent messages through diplomatic channels to Lebanon and Iran, stating that it is "prepared to go to the extent of total war, if the other side responds in a way that causes severe damage to the country." Additionally, the Israeli security agency issued "extraordinary" security instructions concerning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and government ministers, in anticipation of an Iranian response to the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh on its territory.
According to Channel 12, any participation by Netanyahu and Israeli ministers in a public event "requires a protected space," as part of the given instructions. The head of the Israeli Security Agency (Shin Bet), Ronen Bar, also issued a direct order stating that "every trip undertaken by the Prime Minister and ministers requires his personal approval."
The channel reported that Israeli embassies abroad have been instructed to raise their alert levels in the face of "various threats," and as part of these efforts, ambassadors and Israeli diplomats have been asked to reduce their visibility and avoid crowded places.
The source added that "the security establishment estimates that the response to the assassinations will come in the coming days, and therefore is preparing for a variety of scenarios, including rocket and shellfire, drone attacks, and even attempts to breach the northern border" with Lebanon. The escalation has reached an unprecedented level in the past hours, with the announcement of the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, and military leader of Hezbollah Fouad Shukr in Beirut, within less than 12 hours.
