While already on high alert over the war in Gaza, Israeli security agencies are especially vigilant for any possible attack by Hezbollah after Hamas deputy head Saleh al-Arouri was killed Tuesday evening in Beirut. Israel anticipates not only a strong reaction by Hamas in Gaza or the West Bank, but also a possible reaction by Hezbollah, either on the Israel-Lebanon border or against Israeli or Jewish targets abroad.
Following Arouri's death, Israeli police officers in the various districts were instructed to watch for possible attacks by Hamas or other Palestinian factions. Special preparations are also being made in emergency medical clinics all over the country.
As a rule, Israel does not take responsibility for the killing abroad of Palestinians involved in attacks on Israelis. Israel’s public broadcaster Kan reported Tuesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed his cabinet ministers to refrain from commenting on the Arouri incident. Mossad Chief David Barnea did not explicitly mention the killing, but did say Wednesday in his obituary for former Mossad chief Zvi Zamir, "Every Arab mother should know that if her son was part of the Oct. 7 massacre, he’s a walking dead man."
No one in Israel or the international community can doubt that the incident has further incited Hamas' rage toward Israel, and perhaps also that of Hezbollah. However, reactions by Hamas or Hezbollah might not be immediate.
