Deutsche Welle :
In late July, Israel’s security cabinet reached a decision: It authorized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant “to decide how and when action will be taken against the Hezbollah terrorist organization,” as the Prime Minister’s office announced. Previously, Netanyahu had threatened the pro-Iranian militia with having to pay a “high price” for a rocket attack targeting a soccer pitch in the Golan Heights that was allegedly carried out by Hezbollah. Twelve young people were killed in the attack.
For its part, Hezbollah stated it hadn’t fired the rockets. The militia is designated as a terrorist organization by the US, Germany and others. It is endorsed by Iran. The EU lists Hezbollah’s armed wing as a terrorist organization.
At the time, Israel had responded that it did want to strike Hezbollah but did not want to plunge the entire Middle East into war. The statement was made by several unnamed Israeli officials vis-à-vis Reuters news agency.
“The assessment is that the response will not lead to all-out war,” Reuters cites one of its sources. “This would run contrary to our interests at this point.”