Israel’s internal security service, Shin Bet, announced today that it thwarted a plot by the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah to assassinate a former high-ranking Israeli defense official in the coming days.

Shin Bet did not name the official but clarified in its statement that it had confiscated an explosive device equipped with a remote detonation system, activated using a mobile phone and a camera, which Hezbollah had planned to operate from Lebanon.

Shin Bet noted that the foiled attack was similar to another one Hezbollah had attempted to carry out a year ago in Tel Aviv, which was also prevented, without providing further details.

Since October, Israel and Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, have been exchanging fire along the Lebanon border in the worst escalation of violence in the region in two decades.