Israel said bracing for Hezbollah attacks aimed at undermining deal between Jerusalem and Beirut

Israel is bracing for the possibility that the Hezbollah terror group will launch attacks on IDF forces or Israeli communities in the coming days in an attempt to undermine the newly signed framework deal between Beirut and Jerusalem, Channel 12 and Ynet report this evening.

Defense officials tell Channel 12 that Israel is prepared for such an eventuality, and warn of “a severe and significant response” to any Hezbollah attack.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem earlier said that the agreement signed in Washington was “null,” a “humiliation” and a surrender of sovereignty.

A security official speaking to Ynet says an attack on Israeli territory might not necessarily lead to an Israeli strike in Beirut’s Dahiyeh. Israel previously adopted a policy of hitting the Hezbollah stronghold in response to any such attack. An Israeli strike in the Lebanese capital could lead Iran to attack Israel and devolve into a regional escalation.

“It will be assessed on a case-by-case basis,” the official says. “If Israeli communities come under attack, a decision will be made on how to respond. Dahiyeh may also become a target, but that is not an automatic response.”