American strike on Iran may lead to preemptive Israeli strike against Hezbollah – opinion

Israeli intelligence assessments indicate that Hezbollah, Iran’s most heavily armed proxy with an estimated 100,000 rockets and missiles, could be ordered by Tehran to open a northern front if Iran comes under attack.

By Hezy Laing

Israel is intensifying preparations for the possibility of a preemptive strike against Hezbollah as senior defense officials warn that the rapidly escalating confrontation with Iran is pushing the northern arena toward a dangerous threshold.

According to reporting from Israeli outlets, the IDF believes the country is approaching its most serious test since the October 7 attacks, with senior officers stating that Hezbollah’s expanding military infrastructure may soon require a swift, decisive preemptive action to prevent a far larger conflict.

Despite near‑daily Israeli strikes and defensive operations along the Lebanese border, Hezbollah continues to reinforce positions deeper inside Lebanon, rebuilding command posts, weapons sites, and forward operating areas.

The heightened alert follows Iran’s increasingly aggressive posture, with Tehran threatening direct retaliation against Israel and the United States as regional tensions rise.

Israeli sources report that Iranian officials have warned they will strike Israeli territory if the U.S. launches military action, prompting Israel to raise readiness levels across multiple fronts.

Israeli intelligence assessments indicate that Hezbollah, Iran’s most heavily armed proxy with an estimated 100,000 rockets and missiles, could be ordered by Tehran to open a northern front if Iran comes under attack.

In recent weeks, Israel has already carried out major strikes across southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah weapons depots, underground facilities, and operational cells.

The IDF confirmed that more than 30 munitions were used in a two‑wave strike on January 11, hitting seven Hezbollah sites across several towns north of the Litani River.

Additional strikes on January 15 targeted weapons storage sites and infrastructure used to rebuild Hezbollah’s military network following repeated violations of ceasefire understandings.

Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has emphasized that the army’s updated doctrine prioritizes striking first when an imminent threat is detected.

In comments reported by Asharq Al‑Awsat, Zamir stated that the IDF is “more prepared than ever” to deliver a decisive blow to Hezbollah and has already approved expanded operational plans for a northern campaign.

With Iran’s regional posture hardening and Hezbollah’s activities intensifying, Israeli defense officials increasingly view a preemptive strike not as a distant possibility but as a rapidly approaching operational necessity.