Israeli media outlets reported on Wednesday that there are estimates within the relevant circles that the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, will respond to the assassination of Saleh Al-Arouri, the Deputy Chief of its Political Bureau in Lebanon, with a moderate level of participation from Hezbollah expected.
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation stated that the estimates suggest that since those killed on Tuesday in Beirut were effectively and daily responsible for Hamas' firing from Lebanon, this implies that the movement will prepare a response to the assassination, which may take some time.
"In Israel, they estimate that there will be a response from Hamas from Lebanon in all forms and possibilities in response to yesterday's assassination; at the very least, they will try," the broadcaster added.
Regarding Hezbollah, the source continued, “The assessment in Israel at present is that despite the fact that the attack on Al-Arouri took place in the heart of the suburb, they will most likely seek a type of moderate response that would involve firing, but this will not lead to a war or a large-scale event.”
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation also warned that instructions were issued to police officers across various directorates to increase vigilance in anticipation of attacks following Al-Arouri's assassination.
It was mentioned that special preparations are being made across Israel.
The Israeli news site Walla reported on Tuesday, citing an unnamed Israeli official, that Israel is preparing for a significant retaliatory response from Hezbollah to Al-Arouri's assassination, which could include the launch of long-range rockets at targets in Israel.
On Tuesday evening, the Lebanese News Agency stated that "an airstrike with three missiles from an Israeli drone targeted a Hamas headquarters in the southern suburb of Beirut, resulting in 7 martyrs and 11 others injured." Meanwhile, Hamas mourned Al-Arouri and two Qassam Brigades leaders, Samir Afandi and Azzam Ag'ur, plus four other members of the movement in a statement.
Yedioth Ahronoth, an Israeli newspaper, reported that shortly after the assassination operation in Beirut, Hezbollah fired an anti-tank missile at the Moshav Margaliot area near the Lebanese border.
On August 28, Hezbollah's Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah warned that "any assassination on Lebanese soil targeting a Lebanese, Palestinian, Syrian, Iranian, or otherwise will be met with a strong reaction, and we will not allow Lebanon to become an arena for assassinations."
This assassination in Beirut comes at a time when the southern borders of Lebanon are witnessing daily confrontations and shelling between Hezbollah and the Israeli army since October 8, resulting in dozens of casualties and injuries on both sides of the border.
