Following Israel’s assassination of top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr this summer, high-ranking military officers were reportedly advised to adopt a lower profile due to fears of retaliation.
According to a report by Kan public broadcaster on Wednesday, senior IDF officers, especially those on the northern front, were instructed to reduce their cellphone usage and alter their daily routines to evade potential assassination attempts.
This directive emerged amidst escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah after incidents involving explosive devices in Lebanon, which were attributed to Israel.
Additionally, the Shin Bet disclosed that it had thwarted a Hezbollah plot to kill a former senior Israeli security figure with a remote-controlled explosive.
This same Hezbollah cell was implicated in a September 2023 explosion in Tel Aviv aimed at former defense minister Moshe Ya’alon, though no injuries occurred.
Senior security officials convened to establish new protective guidelines for IDF commanders, ensuring their safety while maintaining operational capabilities.
In late July, an Israeli airstrike killed Shukr in retaliation for a rocket attack that resulted in the deaths of 12 children.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warned of severe repercussions, threatening significant sorrow for Israel.
In a subsequent action, Israeli jets targeted numerous Hezbollah sites in late August, aiming to preempt a major attack, although Hezbollah still launched several rockets at northern Israel.
Lebanon has issued a ban on carrying wireless communication devices, including pagers and walkie-talkies, on aeroplanes following a series of deadly explosions.
The decision, announced on Thursday, was made to enhance security in response to recent attacks involving these devices.
According to the National News Agency, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has circulated a directive to all airlines operating out of Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport, prohibiting the transportation of pagers and walkie-talkies on flights.
