Israel Seeks to End Hezbollah Hostilities Without ‘Wider War,’ Prepares ‘For Any Scenario’

Late Tuesday, the Israeli military stated its intention to avoid a broader conflict with Hezbollah, though it emphasized that its forces were prepared for “any scenario.”

“Hezbollah’s continuous aggression and violent attacks are leading the people of Lebanon and the entire Middle East towards a broader escalation,” said military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari in a statement.

“While we prefer to resolve hostilities without escalating to a wider war, the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) is fully prepared for any scenario,” he added.

In a related development, the Israeli military reported that its fighter jets had “eliminated” Hezbollah military commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Tuesday. Shukur was accused of orchestrating a rocket strike on the annexed Golan Heights.

“Israeli air force fighter jets eliminated Fouad Shukur, the Hezbollah terrorist organization’s most senior military commander and the head of its strategic unit, in the Beirut area,” the military announced in a statement.

According to Lebanon’s health ministry, the attack resulted in the deaths of two children and a woman, and injured 74 others.