Netanyahu to convene situational assessment with defense heads following the 2 high-profile assassinations

Both Iran and Hezbollah are expected to retaliate for the killings

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will conduct a situational assessment with heads of the defense establishment on Wednesday evening, following the dramatic assassinations of two terror leaders in the past 24 hours, according to reports in Israeli media.

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed early on Wednesday morning in Tehran while deputy Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr was killed in an IDF airstrike on Tuesday night in the Lebanese capital of Beirut.

In response to those reports, Israel decided to raise the alert in all diplomatic missions around the world to the highest level, the same as it was following the Oct. 7 Hamas invasion. Jewish institutions and communities around the world have also been on heightened alert following the two high-profile assassinations.

The situational assessment comes after Iran threatened to retaliate against Israel for killing Haniyeh. Despite Israel not claiming responsibility for the Hamas leader's death, the Iranian regime did not hesitate to blame the Jewish state, with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stating: “The criminal and terrorist Zionist regime martyred our dear guest in our house and made us mourn, but it has also prepared the ground for severe punishment for itself.”

Middle East analysts also believe that Israel likely had a hand in Haniyeh's killing.

Charles Lister, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington, posted to 𝕏 following the killing.

"Israel was very clear – Haniyeh was a dead man walking. Once out of Doha, it was game time. Coming hours after the killing of Fuad Shukr in Beirut, the Middle East is on an absolute knife-edge now."

#Israel was very clear - Haniyeh was a dead man walking. Once out of #Doha, it was game time.

Coming hours after the killing of Fuad Shukr in #Beirut, the #MiddleEast is on an absolute knife-edge now. https://t.co/Hp4QkMPPA3
— Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) July 31, 2024

Earlier on Wednesday, an Iranian source told Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen TV station that the strike on Haniyeh was launched from outside Iran, stating: "The fact that the missile came from outside is aggression against Iran, which requires an inevitable response.”

As of Wednesday afternoon, there were still conflicting reports as to whether Haniyeh was killed by a missile fired from outside of Iran or an explosive UAV launched from inside the country.

Former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Mohsen Rezaee also threatened Israel, saying: “Israel will pay a heavy price for killing Haniyeh.”

At a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Israeli government spokesman, David Mencer, refused to comment on Haniyeh’s death, except to note that Israel is currently at a heightened state of alert “on all seven of its fronts with Iran.”

Reuters reported that the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) convened an emergency session following Haniyeh's assassination, with Iranian sources saying the senior IRGC commanders at that meeting would determine Iran's response to Haniyeh's killing. According to The New York Times, the SNSC meeting was held at the residence of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and included IRGC Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani.

Newly-inaugurated Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who was portrayed as a moderate reformist during the presidential elections, threatened that Iran would "defend its territorial integrity and honor.”

In Lebanon, Caretaker Information Minister Ziad Makary said Hezbollah will most likely respond to the Israeli assassination of Shukr in Beirut. However, he stressed that Lebanon "does not want war."

Lebanon Prime Minister Najib Mikati also said his country does not seek war but to preserve its dignity and sovereignty.

“Lebanon does not seek war but aims to preserve the dignity of its people and its sovereignty over land, sea, and air, without compromising its rights,” Mikati said.

While not blaming Israel for the killing of Haniyeh, Mikati warned that the assassination is “a serious threat that could expand the scope of global concern and danger in the region.”