Hezbollah recently received instructions from Iran to raise its military readiness to advanced levels in preparation for a regional confrontation that Tehran believes is imminent.
By United with Israel Staff
Defense Minister Israel Katz has asked the government to extend the nationwide special state of emergency on the home front until November 3, as security officials warn of a continued threat of attacks on Israeli civilians.
Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs sent Katz’s proposal to ministers on Thursday for an urgent telephone vote. The current declaration is scheduled to expire on October 20.
“In light of the uncertainty regarding the situation, particularly concerning the Iranian and Lebanese arenas, security officials assess that there is still a high probability that an attack against the civilian population will occur,” the proposal states.
The warning comes amid reports of heightened preparations by Hezbollah.
Lebanese security and military sources told the UAE-based Erem News that Hezbollah recently received instructions from Iran to raise its military readiness to advanced levels in preparation for a regional confrontation that Tehran believes is imminent.
The report comes a day after Katz issued a stark warning to Hezbollah against joining a potential Iranian attack on Israel.
“If Hezbollah joins Iran in an attack on Israel, it will be dealt a heavy blow and lose additional territory in southern Lebanon, in the areas of Nabatieh and the Litani, which will become part of Israel’s permanent security zone,” Katz said Wednesday, adding that the IDF is prepared to launch a ground offensive.
Meanwhile, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir warned Wednesday that the potential for escalation had increased amid a surge in alerts across multiple fronts.
“In light of the large number of alerts across all arenas and the sensitivity of this period, the potential for escalation has increased,” Zamir said.
“We have reinforced our forces and raised our level of readiness, and we continue to prepare for a situation in which they try to surprise us.”
“During this sensitive period, we must maintain vigilance and readiness in every arena, preserve freedom of action and quickly thwart threats,” he continued.
Zamir added that the IDF is at a “high level of readiness” to transition to broad offensive operations against any party that attempts to harm Israeli civilians.