Israeli Security Cabinet meets in bunker in preparation for Hezbollah attack, warns of ‘destruction’ in Lebanon

The Israeli Security Cabinet met in the underground control room, known as “The Pit” at the Kirya military headquarters on Thursday night for the first time since the direct Iranian attack on April 13. 

According to Israel's Channel 13, the decision to meet in the pit was at the request of the Israeli Security Agency (Shin Bet), in order to practice in the event of a Hezbollah attack. The high-alert status and preparations for retaliatory attacks by Iran and Hezbollah continue, despite the lack of a clear indication regarding the timing that such attacks would take place.

Israeli officials currently believe that the Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon will attempt to assassinate an Israeli senior official despite of the clear risk of escalation, according to Channel 13.

Israel's KAN news outlet reported that security officials still believe that an Iranian response will include the use of ballistic and precision targeted missiles, targeting the Kirya and other military sites. 

In the Security Cabinet meeting, the government gave full freedom of action to the army according to the situation and discussed the possibility of preventive action even before an attack from Iran or Hezbollah, according to News 12. 

The cabinet also discussed the possibility that the conflict with Hezbollah could shift from being a secondary front in the war to becoming the primary focus. Analysts believe Israel is presenting a bold front by warning the Lebanese terror group that it is prepared for a full-scale war. 

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant posted a message to 𝕏 in Arabic for the citizens of Lebanon on Thursday evening. 

رسالة وزير الأمن الإسرائيلي لأهل لبنان pic.twitter.com/qEZVSJOfb7

— יואב גלנט - Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) August 8, 2024

“The State of Israel wants peace, prosperity and stability on both sides of the northern border and therefore will in no way allow the Hezbollah militia to destabilize the border and the region,” the message stated. “If Hezbollah continues its aggression, Israel will fight it with all its might.” 

“Remember Nasrallah’s regret for the dangerous and miscalculated adventure of August 2006,” Gallant continued, in a reference to the Second Lebanon War, which was triggered by Hezbollah terrorists who captured two Israeli soldiers and killed several others. 

“Those who play with fire should expect destruction,” Gallant wrote. 

Various Hebrew news outlets reported that United States Central Command CENTCOM chief, Gen. Michael Kurilla, made a second visit to Israel on Thursday, as part of U.S. military preparations to help Israel in the event of a large scale Iranian attack, as it did in April. 

On Thursday, CENTCOM announced that U.S. Air Force F-22 fighter jets had arrived in the region “as part of US force posture changes in the region and to address threats posed by Iran and Iranian-backed groups.”

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Aug. 8 as part of U.S. force posture changes in the region to mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or its proxies. pic.twitter.com/BuuzbUHu9s

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) August 8, 2024

Speaking at the IDF Home Front Command headquarters, Gallant emphasized that Israel is working to provide sufficient warning of any potential attacks by Iran or Hezbollah. He advised civilians to continue their normal routines until such a warning is issued.

In a statement released by his office, Gallant said, “The public’s resilience allows us to make the right operational decisions. In the face of the enemy’s attempt to sow fear, we must continue with normal daily life.”