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Israel weighs implications of deadly violence on northern border

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Israeli leaders and analysts assessed the situation in the wake of yesterday’s deadly attack by Hezbollah on IDF troops near the Lebanese border amid increasing tensions on the Syrian border too.

The attack comes a day after rockets were fired into northern Israel from Syria, which in turn followed an air strike last week, thought to have been carried out by Israel, which killed senior Hezbollah commanders and an Iranian Revolutionary Guards general, reportedly planning to strike Israel.

Following yesterday’s events, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed, “Those who are responsible for this attack will pay the price.” pointing the finger of blame not only at Hezbollah and the Assad regime in Syria, but their Iranian backers too. Labour leader Isaac Herzog reacted determinedly, saying that if “Hezbollah thinks they can threaten us or divide us … they will find out that Israel is strong and united on the need to protect its citizens.” Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid provided a wider context, saying, “This is radical Islamic terror trying to murder innocent people and Israel will not tolerate it.”

Meanwhile, Israeli commentators speculate this morning over whether the recent violence will further escalate. In Israel Hayom, Yoav Limor argues that the relatively limited artillery response by Israel to yesterday’s attack “serves one immediate purpose—quiet on the border with Lebanon.” In Yediot Ahronot, Nahum Barnea speculates that Hezbollah, on the instruction of Iran, is attempting to widen its front against Israel across the Golan Heights. However, Barnea wonders “Is this so bad? Is it better for Israel to face ISIS forces in the Golan Heights … or some other crazy organisation?”

Providing an even wider context, Alex Fishman in Yediot Ahronot emphasises that Iranian intentions must also be taken into account. Assuming that yesterday’s attack was retaliation for last week’s air strike in Syria, he posits “In terms of Hezbollah, the account for the shooting at the convoy has been settled. It is unclear whether the Iranian account is also settled.”