WarSclerotic

“Israel will unleash a massive and merciless attack on Lebanon if Hezbollah retaliates for the assassination of Samir Kuntar,” European diplomats told the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Qabas over the weekend.

According to the diplomats, Israel conveyed the stern warning to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah via a third party.

Israel security forces were expected to remain on high alert for a possible revenge attack in the coming days, despite the fact that Israel has not claimed responsibility for Kuntar’s assassination last week. Assessments regarding a possible retaliation by Hezbollah are based on warnings by Nasrallah that his organization would respond “anywhere, anytime and any way we see fit.”

A memorial ceremony for Kuntar will take place on Sunday in the Dahiyeh neighborhood of south Beirut, which is a Hezbollah stronghold. The Shiite terrorist organization’s official television station, Al-Manar, reported that Nasrallah was expected to deliver a speech at the event.

Meanwhile, despite the tensions, thousands of Israelis visited the Upper Galilee region in northern Israel over the weekend. Hotels, guesthouses and tourist hotspots were filled with visitors, while Galilee residents returned to their normal daily routines. However, a defense official said the army’s instruction to farmers in the area, to keep a safe distance from the border fence, was still in effect.