Jerusalem - Israel's military operation against Hamas took a new turn on Tuesday when a pair of drone-fired missiles targeted an apartment building in south Beirut, resulting in the death of a top Hezbollah militant leader and his associates. This bold move by Israel marks a significant escalation in its war against Hamas and raises concerns about a potential wider conflict along Israel's border with Lebanon.

The conflict, which has already lasted for three months, has seen Israel launching a full-scale military invasion of Gaza, causing extensive destruction and a high civilian death toll. However, until now, Israel had not taken action against the leadership of Hamas as one of its stated war aims.

As Israel begins to draw down its troops in Gaza for the first time, military leaders have cited weakened Hamas presence in the north as the reason for the partial withdrawal. Additionally, pressure from the United States, calling for a reduction in civilian casualties, has played a role in Israel's decision to de-escalate its presence in Gaza.

Experts recognize this development as a shift into a new phase of warfare, one that aligns more closely with the approach advocated by the U.S. from the beginning. Israel's military preparedness for a two-front war has been evident, with troops and tanks amassed along the Lebanese border and the evacuation of thousands of residents. While there have been sporadic clashes between Israel Defense Forces and the Iranian-aligned Hezbollah in the past, this latest strike marks a significant escalation as it approached the capital, Beirut.

Israel neither confirmed nor denied its involvement in the assassination of Saleh Arouri, an exiled Hamas official who acted as a liaison with Iran and Hezbollah. Nonetheless, his death is considered the most significant assassination of a senior Hamas official since the conflict began on October 7.

Concerns now arise about potential retaliation from Hezbollah, both domestically and internationally. Lebanese officials as well as those from the international community are working to prevent further escalation. Israeli officials, hopeful for restraint from Hezbollah's leader Hasan Nasrallah, emphasize the presence of a U.S. carrier group in the area as a deterrent.

Residents in the Israeli port city of Haifa have been advised to be prepared for potential attacks, as military analysts predict a shift in resources from Gaza to Lebanon following the troop drawdown. Meanwhile, in the north, local security squads have been training for an impending war.

The assassination in Lebanon has been widely welcomed in Israel, although advocates for the Israelis held captive in Gaza express concerns that this attack may hinder ongoing negotiations for another hostage exchange.

While Israel begins to shift its focus away from Gaza, the war remains intense in the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis. Eyewitnesses report ongoing fighting and a continuous stream of casualties being transported to hospitals.

In the midst of the conflict, Israel is grappling with broader political debates. The country's High Court recently reversed a vote by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, leading to celebrations by his critics as a victory for Israeli democracy. Demonstrations for new elections have taken place in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, with anger directed at Netanyahu for his perceived failure to prevent the Hamas attacks.

Divisions have become apparent within the emergency war cabinet, which includes Netanyahu and former IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz. Gantz and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant have distanced themselves from Netanyahu, expressing openness to the ideas suggested by President Biden for a postwar government in Gaza, which Netanyahu and more extremist members of the coalition reject.

As some troops withdraw from Gaza, political observers are closely watching for any potential moves by Gantz, whose popularity has soared during the conflict, to exert influence in the evolving political landscape.

The war between Israel and Hamas shows no signs of resolution, but with the recent developments, it is clear that the conflict is evolving into new phases with broader implications for the region.