Israel closes embassy in Ankara and Israeli consultate in Istanbul due to threats from Hezbollah: Report

One day after Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah’s speech, Israel has reportedly temporarily shut down four of its diplomatic missions abroad, including the embassy in Ankara and the Israeli consulate in Istanbul, due to threats from Hezbollah.

According to Turkey's Milliyet newspaper, Israel temporarily closed the consulate in Istanbul and the embassy in Ankara due to security needs following threats by Hezbollah to avenge the assassination of its top military commander Imad Mughniyyeh (Hajj Redwan).

Israeli embassies around the world were on heightened alert since the beginning of the week.

On Tuesday, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said that many Israeli embassies have received several suspected terror threats.

The Israel Counter Terrorism Bureau issued a warning Friday morning to Israeli travelers in anticipation of threats resulting from the anniversary of the assassination. The bureau cautioned the Israeli public that because of the increased threat of attacks against Israelis abroad, travels certain destinations should be avoided, including Egypt, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Côte d'Ivoire, Mauritania and Venezuela.

On Wednesday, Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah threatened to target Israeli officials and military leaders to avenge the martyrdom of Islamic Resistance top commander Imad Mughniyeh (Hajj Redwan), reiterating that Hezbollah’s decision to avenge Martyr Mughniyeh’s assassination still stands and will be executed at the right time and the right place.