Israel is bracing for a potential multi-day attack by Iran and its proxy Hezbollah following the recent assassinations of two senior terror leaders, an Israeli official told NBC News.
"They'll just try to wear us out," the official said, describing expectations of waves of missiles and drones fired over several days in response to the killings of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fouad Shoukr.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told NBC News that Israel fears the attacks could come over an extended period, with Hezbollah striking from the north while Iran launches longer-range weapons from the east.
"There is strong US pressure to reach a ceasefire," the official added. President Joe "Biden wants it to happen during his time in office."
Biden reportedly had a "tense" call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following Haniyeh's assassination, according to the Israeli official. The US president has publicly stated that the killing was not helpful to efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.
Israeli negotiators were in Cairo on Saturday to continue negotiations but left without a breakthrough, the official said.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday, discussing "ironclad US support for Israel's security and right to self-defense against threats," according to a Pentagon statement.
The assassinations have heightened tensions in an already volatile region. Israel killed Shoukr in a strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut last Tuesday. Shoukr was responsible for an attack in the Druze village of Majdal Shams that killed 12 children. "There was no price too high for the blood of our people," the military stated.
Hours later, news broke of Haniyeh's death in Tehran early Wednesday morning. Haniyeh was in Iran to attend the inauguration of the new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Iranian officials have vowed to retaliate against Israel, although Israel has not publicly claimed responsibility for Haniyeh's assassination. Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah also warned his followers that Israel would face consequences for the attacks.
This potential retaliation would mark the second time Iran has directly attacked Israel this year, following an April 13 assault involving 300 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. The majority of those projectiles were intercepted by Israeli and US forces.
As tensions continue to escalate, diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider regional conflict are ongoing. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been in communication with G7 foreign ministers and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani about the urgent need for de-escalation in the region.
