Iran may keep Israel on high alert for an attack for a prolonged period to increase the anxiety in the public, , a security source said on Sunday adding that this time should be used to advance a hostage release deal.
The Iranians said their response to the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week would be from multiple fronts, perhaps in one blow and perhaps with multiple attacks. Coordination with Iran's proxies could divulge their plans in advance. Officials believe the Iranians are seeking to inflict pain but not cause a regional war and only deter Israel from further attacks.
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Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei leads prayers during the funeral of Ismail Haniyeh
(Handout)
But if there are casualties of harm to critical targets, the Israeli response could lead to war. The officials are careful in their predictions after they miscalculated the Iranian reaction to the assassination of its senior official in Syria in April when 300 missiles and drones were fired at Israel.
"We will respond forcefully to any significant harm," a senior official told Ynet.
The Biden administration has increased its pressure on the government to reach a deal with Hamas that would lead to a cease-fire on Israel's northern border as well.
Sources with knowledge of the recent telephone conversation between U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week said there was indeed tension and the president asked that Israel attempt to finalize a deal but also that Israel not involve the U.S. in its targeted killings.
The Americans were probably not surprised by the killing of Fuad Shukr in Beirut and were not upset by his death but they likely had no prior knowledge of the timing of the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh that was attributed to Israel but not officially confirmed by the IDF.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden in the White House last month
(Photo: Samuel Corum / EPA)
"The Americans want to reach a deal on all fronts as quickly as possible," an Israel official said adding that a deal to release the hostages would reduce the risk of a regional war.
Amid the pressure from Washington, Netanyahu dispatched the delegation to the talks, to Cairo headed by Mossad chief David Barnea, with Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and the Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territory (COGAT) Major-General Ghassan Alian.