The assassination by the United States of Ghassem Soleimani, head of the Al-Quds Forces of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, on Friday, January 3, is good news for the Hebrew state. Both a sponsor of Lebanese Hezbollah and responsible for Tehran’s settlement in Syria, the Iranian general posed a major threat to Israel. But the announcement of his death may have a darker future. A great ally of the United States in the region, Israel could expect possible reprisals from Iran or armed groups in the region aligned with Tehran.
Defense Minister Naftali Bennett summoned senior military officials on Friday morning to "Situation assessment" at the army headquarters in Tel Aviv. The other ministers were then advised not to comment publicly on the US operation. Interrupting his trip to Greece after the conclusion, the day before, of an agreement on the EastMed gas pipeline project, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted on speaking on the subject. Affirming that the United States had, "Like Israel", the right to defend himself, then he congratulated President Donald Trump for taking action "Quickly, forcefully and decisively". According to sources quoted in the American press on Saturday, the Israeli prime minister had been warned of the operation before it was implemented.
Security alert level raised
According to local media, the Israeli army has increased its air and ground defense systems, anticipating possible reprisals from Iran's allies: Hezbollah in Lebanon, or Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the Strip from Gaza. In the north of the country, Mount Hermon was closed to visitors. The Hebrew state also raised the level of security alert in its embassies abroad. "Israel is not afraid, however, assures Yaakov Amidror, former national security adviser to Mr. Netanyahu. Israel is just being very careful and preparing, just in case. One of our biggest enemies has been killed, which is pretty good news. "
The Hebrew state has long viewed Ghassem Soleimani as a major security challenge. While he has had several opportunities in recent years to assassinate him, the United States has repeatedly dissuaded him from doing so. The Iranian general first helped to make the Shiite militia of Hezbollah one of the great political and military organizations in Lebanon. He was also the architect of Iran’s military establishment in Syria. Since 2011, to prevent the deployment of Iranian forces and equipment that could target its territory, the Israeli air force has undertaken preventive air strikes in Syrian territory, targeting convoys of weapons intended for Hezbollah as well as infrastructure allocated to Al-Quds Forces and affiliated Shiite militias.
