Israel Attacks Deep into Lebanon in Preparation for Potential Escalation

This picture taken during a guided tour by the Hezbollah media office shows a man salvaging the remains of a destroyed greenhouse at the site of reported overnight Israeli bombardment on Sarein in the Bekaa valley in east-central Lebanon on August 20, 2024. (AFP)
This picture taken during a guided tour by the Hezbollah media office shows a man salvaging the remains of a destroyed greenhouse at the site of reported overnight Israeli bombardment on Sarein in the Bekaa valley in east-central Lebanon on August 20, 2024. (AFP)
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Israel Attacks Deep into Lebanon in Preparation for Potential Escalation

This picture taken during a guided tour by the Hezbollah media office shows a man salvaging the remains of a destroyed greenhouse at the site of reported overnight Israeli bombardment on Sarein in the Bekaa valley in east-central Lebanon on August 20, 2024. (AFP)
This picture taken during a guided tour by the Hezbollah media office shows a man salvaging the remains of a destroyed greenhouse at the site of reported overnight Israeli bombardment on Sarein in the Bekaa valley in east-central Lebanon on August 20, 2024. (AFP)

Israel announced on Tuesday that its recent attacks deep inside Lebanon came in anticipation of a potential escalation.

The announcement was made hours after the Israeli army targeted a Hezbollah ammunition depot in the eastern Bekaa valley, about 80 kilometers from the nearest border point.

On Monday night, Israeli aircraft launched heavy raids on three Hezbollah sites in the Bekaa, including weapons depots. No casualties were reported.

On Tuesday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant assessed the situation at the 36th Division headquarters on the northern front with Lebanon.

“Our center of gravity is gradually shifting from the south to the north,” he said, pointing to a readiness to shift from operations in Gaza to a focus on the Lebanese front.

Galant added that the strikes deep inside Lebanon were in preparation for “any potential developments”.

The Israeli army confirmed its strikes on several warehouses storing Hezbollah weapons in the Bekaa on Monday.

It noted that following the raids, secondary explosions were observed, indicating a significant presence of weapons in the targeted locations.

Eleven people were injured in the attack, according to the Ministry of Public Health’s Emergency Operations Center.

In retaliation, Hezbollah fired a barrage of missiles at Israeli military positions in the occupied Golan Heights on Tuesday.

In a statement, the party said: “In response to the Israeli enemy’s attack on the Bekaa region, the Mujahideen of the Islamic Resistance launched an intense missile strike on the headquarters of the 210th Golan Division in the Nafah Barracks, as well as on the Artillery Regiment and Armored Brigade of the 210th Division in the Yarden Barracks.”

The Israeli army responded with a statement saying that its aircraft struck a Hezbollah launch site, from which missiles were fired, in the Beit Lif area in southern Lebanon on Monday.

It also said its jets targeted a Hezbollah military facility in Aita al-Shaab in the South.



‘No One Dares’ … First Palestinian Response to Israeli Plan to Separate Hebron from PA

Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)
Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)
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‘No One Dares’ … First Palestinian Response to Israeli Plan to Separate Hebron from PA

Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)
Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)

A report published by The Wall Street Journal, and promoted by Israeli media on Sunday, has renewed focus on an Israeli plan dating back more than 60 years aimed at pushing for the creation of “emirates” or entities independent from the Palestinian Authority (PA).

The report focused on the Palestinian city of Hebron, and cited what it claimed were “21 tribal elders from Hebron,” who allegedly sent a letter in Hebrew to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for negotiations with them to join the Abraham Accords and consequently abandon the “two-state solution,” which Palestinians rely on to establish their state.

However, a Palestinian security source, in remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, said: “What is happening is yet another Israeli attempt to weaken the Palestinian Authority.”

“This is a failed plan,” he said: “No one here would dare take this step and say: I am the spy... I am the alternative to the Authority ... Those who tried that are known and represent no one.”

Reportedly, the elders included a detailed proposed timetable for talks to join the Abraham Accords and for “a fair and decent arrangement that would replace the Oslo Accords, which only brought damage, death, economic disaster and destruction.”

According to The Wall Street Journal, the initiative was helmed by Wadee al-Jaabari, who local city residents and its political leadership claim is unknown to them, and backed by "four other leading Hebron sheikhs.”

Palestinian city residents, including Jaabari's extended family members, condemned the proposal, saying that its authors do not represent them.

Israeli sources said that Economy Minister Nir Barkat stands behind the letter, which was allegedly sent to him. Barkat met at his home with al-Jaabari and the other sheikhs; he has held more than 12 meetings with them since February, The Wall Street Journal said. They asked him to forward the letter to Netanyahu and are now waiting for his response.

The sheikhs reportedly proposed that Israel grant work permits to 1,000 workers from Hebron on a trial basis, and then extend this to another 5,000.

According to Maariv newspaper, the Israeli government is “seeking to promote this plan to destroy the Palestinian Authority and the establishment of a Palestinian state.”