Israel openly declares readiness for any retaliatory action initiated by Iran or Hezbollah.
The news emerges amid allegations in the Israeli media that there are assessments indicating that Hezbollah could strike imminently.
Hezbollah and Iran have been vowing retaliation against Israel following a series of deaths within Iran-supported militant groups over several weeks. Among those deaths were Fu'ad Shukr, Hezbollah's highest-ranking military commander, killed in an Israeli air strike in Beirut at the end of July, and Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas' political leader, who was assassinated in Tehran.
Regarding the potential retaliation threats, the IDF spokesman, Daniel Hagari, addressed reporters on Saturday, confirming that the military was prepped for any potential assault from either Hezbollah or Iran.
"We treat our enemies' threats seriously and have been primed for a while now. We're fully prepared in both offense and defense, but above all, any perceived threat toward the people of Israel we identify, we neutralize, and that's our policy moving forward. Any shift or development, we'll inform the public right away," Hagari said.
When questioned by a reporter from Israel's state-funded Kan 11 news channel, who suggested there were indications that Hezbollah could strike soon, Hagari did not validate these assessments or offer any hints about a potential timeline.
"We've been, as I mentioned, we've been prepared, first and foremost, in offense and defense, for a while. Our mandate is to thwart threats and we'll remain committed to that endeavor. With any alteration or modification, we will promptly inform the public," Hagari said.
A significant attack on Israel could jeopardize the ceasefire negotiations reportedly at an advanced stage with US officials before Haniyeh's assassination in Tehran, with Iran accusing Israel of responsibility. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied the allegations.
At present, 109 Israeli citizens are held captive in Gaza, with 36 believed to be deceased, according to data from the Israeli government press office. During the week, the corpses of six Israeli hostages were recovered from tunnels in Gaza during an Israeli military operation in Khan Younis.
Israel initiated a military campaign in Gaza following Hamas-led militants' attacks on the nation on October 7, resulting in the loss of 1,200 lives and more than 250 hostages, as per Israeli authorities. Over 40,200 individuals have died in Gaza throughout the conflict, as per Palestinian authorities.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East, given the potential for escalation between Israel and its adversaries. The world is hoping for a peaceful resolution to avoid further loss of life and destruction.
In light of these ongoing tensions, various countries are urging both sides to exercise restraint and engage in diplomatic dialogue to prevent a larger conflict that could have significant repercussions on the global stage.
