The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) believe that Hezbollah intends to launch a terror attack against Israel soon. According to Israeli media reports this afternoon, IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi held over the past 24 hours several consultations, which resulted in the decision to close transportation axes near the borders with Lebanon and Syria as of 8 p.m. local time tonight, enabling only the passage of military vehicles. Access to some agricultural areas near the border will also be restricted. Commander of the IDF's Northern Command Amir Baram met today with heads of regional councils in the north to brief them on the situation. Baram told the heads of councils that the army is doing its outmost to preserve normal life routine despite of the recent escalation. IDF sources warned that Israel would consider the Lebanese government responsible for any attack that would be carried out in the Galilee region.
Kuwaiti news site Al Jarida reported this morning that Israel had sent a message to Hezbollah seeking to deescalate tensions that have risen between the sides in recent days. According to the report, the deescalation message was conveyed through Moscow, which sometimes acts as an intermediary between Israel and the group. The newspaper said that Israel was taking seriously Hezbollah’s threat of retaliation over the killing of one of its operatives on the evening July 20. Still, Al Jarida stressed that a possible "calculated" response was still on the table.
