The Middle East is a boiling cauldron as after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniya in Tehran, all analysts consider an attack on Israel by Iran almost certain, supported by pro-Iranian organizations from Lebanon, Iraq, the Palestinian Territories and Yemen.
The big questions are when Iran, ordered to attack by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, will strike, and whether the US will support Israel militarily.
As for “when” there are currently two scenarios:
As soon as possible after Ismail Haniya’s funeral – which took place earlier today in Qatar – as promised by the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, or on August 12, as Israeli media reported.
Western intelligence sources told Sky News Arabia that they had evidence that Iran was planning to attack Israel on Tisha B’Av, Israel’s fast day on August 12. This day is a day of remembrance for disasters that the Jews have suffered.
The US attitude
On the second question, whether the US will intervene, the information is contradictory. On the one hand there is a large concentration of American ships in the area with the flagship of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, its accompanying warships and ships for amphibious operations.
At the same time, according to what the White House announced about Joe Biden’s conversation with Benjamin Netanyahu, the US president assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US remains “committed” to guaranteeing the security of the Jewish state in the face of “all its threats Iran”.
“The president reaffirmed his commitment to Israel’s security in the face of all threats from Iran, including its affiliated terrorist organizations Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis,” the press release said.
But the prominent political website Axios reports that Biden told Netanyahu during a “tough” phone call on Thursday that he should not count on Washington’s support to bail him out again if there is another regional escalation.
Biden said he would help Israel against an expected Iranian attack after Haniyeh’s killing, but after that he does not expect further escalation from Israel and wants immediate movement toward a cease-fire agreement in Gaza, according to the report.
The Axios report also cited three unnamed Israeli officials as saying there was tension during Biden’s meeting with Netanyahu in the Oval Office last week.
“Biden raised his voice and said he wants to get a deal done within a week to two weeks,” the report said, adding that Biden stressed that was “the most important thing right now.”
Hezbollah says it targeted surveillance equipment
Hezbollah says it carried out a “direct” strike on Israel’s al-Raheb military outpost near the Lebanese border.
The region is bracing for possible retaliation by Hezbollah for the killing of Fouad Shukr commander in Beirut. Meanwhile, the Lebanese group continued its almost daily hostilities with Israel.
If Iran attacks Israel, it is expected that Hezbollah will also raise the level of the conflict and as far as is known it has thousands of missiles at its disposal.
Meanwhile, Hamas has not been definitively defeated in Gaza despite the 300 days of the Israeli invasion that has claimed approximately 40,000 casualties on the Palestinian side.
The Israeli military said today that 10 rockets were fired from Gaza and some were intercepted while others landed in open areas without causing casualties.
Read also:
“Fever” in the Middle East: Iran’s threats to Israel are escalating – Possible US involvement
Israel: “Fuel on the fire” by the Israeli government – Al-Aqsa preacher arrested for praying for Haniya
Cyprus: The government denies rumors about the closure of the airspace
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