Officials said a Hizbullah attack could take place during the Passover
holiday, scheduled from March 29 to April 5. They said Hizbullah wanted to
avenge the death of its operational chief, Imad Mughniyeh, killed in a
bombing of his car in Damascus in February 2008.
"Hizbullah has repeatedly accused Israel of being responsible for the
death of Imad Mughniyeh," the prime minister's office said on Feb. 14. "Iran
has accused Israel of being responsible for the death of a nuclear expert in
Teheran. Therefore, the NSCCTB underscores its warning regarding the
possible abduction of, and/or attacks on, Israelis abroad, especially
regarding businesspeople in Arab and/or Islamic countries."
The Israeli travel warning urged tourists to reject any unsolicited
offers of gifts from abroad. Another recommendation was that Israelis reject
invitations to unexpected meetings.
"Avoid admitting suspect or unexpected visitors to hotel rooms or
residences," the statement said. "Avoid routine behavior during prolonged
stays abroad — change hotels from time to time, alter regular travel
routes, visit different restaurants."
The warning came amid tension along the Israeli-Lebanese border. On Feb.
14, the Lebanese Army opened anti-aircraft fire on four Israel Air Force
F-16 multi-role fighters.
There were no reports of Israeli aircraft being struck. The aircraft
were said to have flown over Lebanon's Bekaa Valley near the border with
Syria.
