FLASH
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Israel is on high alert regarding the possibility of an escalation of the situation with Hezbollah, following the killing of a senior Hamas leader in an attack in Beirut.
The attack is widely believed to have been carried out by Israel, raising the risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East.
The elimination of Palestinian Saleh Arouri, the most senior Hamas leader killed since the Gaza war began nearly three months ago, boosts the morale of Israelis still reeling from the October 7 Hamas attack as militants continue to put up a strong resistance in Gaza and still hold many hostages. But it remains unclear what impact this will have on the war. Hamas leaders killed by Israel over the years have been promptly replaced.
The strike on Hezbollah's southern base in Beirut could turn low-intensity fighting along the border with Lebanon into a full-scale war.
But that will largely depend on how Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah responds. He has led Hezbollah since 1992, when an Israeli strike eliminated his predecessor.
He has previously vowed to retaliate against any attacks against militant leaders in Lebanon. He is expected to give a speech today.
Since the start of the war in Gaza, Hezbollah and Israel have exchanged fire almost daily on the border between Israel and Lebanon. However, leader Nasrallah has been reluctant to escalate the situation further, perhaps fearing a repeat of what happened during the month-long war in 2006, when Israel heavily bombed Beirut and southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah announced the launch of a barrage of rockets into northern Israel late Tuesday, but did not directly link the attack to Arour's killing.
Journalists in southern Lebanon reported heavy Israeli bombing and airstrikes. However, there were no reports of casualties and the border area was calm until early Wednesday.
Israeli officials have not commented on the attack that killed Arour, but Admiral Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the Israeli military, said "we are on high alert for any scenario."
The United States has sought to prevent any escalation of the conflict, while deploying two aircraft carriers and troops to the region. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to go to the region this week./ VOA
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