The Ghost of the Haret Hreik Raid Returns to the Forefront.. A US Green Light Opens the Door to Assassinating Hezbollah Leaders

Israeli political and security sources confirmed on Wednesday that Washington will not object if Tel Aviv targets senior Hezbollah militia leaders across Lebanon under special circumstances, despite the ongoing US-brokered ceasefire.

The Al-Monitor website quoted the sources as saying that there is no explicit or written agreement allowing Israel to strike targets in the capital Beirut, adding that if an opportunity arises to assassinate a prominent Hezbollah leader, Tel Aviv may proceed with it, with implicit US approval.

However, the sources estimated in return that Israel will not launch such strikes as long as negotiations with Lebanon are ongoing.

This scenario brings to mind the assassination operation of former Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah in a series of violent raids that targeted the party's central headquarters in the Haret Hreik neighborhood of Beirut's southern suburb on September 27, 2024.

According to what Al-Monitor quoted from a Foreign Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, Israel has the right to defend itself, citing the multiple opportunities Hezbollah had to cease fire over the past two weeks.

The official said: Instead, it chose to continue launching rockets and drones at Israeli sites, adding that Israel will never be expected to passively accept attacks on its forces and civilians.

The Israeli public broadcaster Kan revealed on Tuesday the Israeli army's dissatisfaction with the restrictions Washington imposes on its operations in Lebanon.

It quoted a high-ranking Israeli officer, who was not named, as saying: We must do more. Israeli sovereignty is violated daily. The army exercises great restraint because we are committed to agreements with the United States and the Lebanese government. We must not accept the current reality without the ability to respond.

According to Kan's report, Washington ordered Israel not to strike high-rise buildings in the Dahieh neighborhood south of Beirut, and Israel is not actually planning such attacks.

Tensions along the border remain high since the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah on April 16, while two sources told Reuters this week that the Israeli army expanded its ground operations in southern Lebanon beyond a line drawn by Israel kilometers inside Lebanese territory after the truce.