Iranian proxy Hezbollah:
🔴Has fired 1000’s of rockets at Israeli civilians since October 7
🔴Is accountable for lethal terrorist assaults in Israel and world wide
🔴Is quickly growing its weapons stockpile
🔴Is a menace to Israel, the area and international safety pic.twitter.com/eY8okaQOAv— Israel ישראל (@Israel) August 5, 2024
President Joe Biden convened his nationwide safety staff on Monday as issues grew a few attainable Iranian assault on Israel. The assembly got here after Iran blamed Israel for the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and vowed extreme retaliation. Through the briefing, Biden was up to date on threats from Iran and its proxies, diplomatic efforts to scale back regional tensions, and plans to help Israel if an assault happens.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated officers have been working “across the clock” to forestall additional escalation. “Escalation isn’t in anybody’s pursuits,” Blinken stated. “It should solely result in extra battle, extra violence, extra insecurity.”
For these following the Iran-Israel battle, right here’s an explainer I wrote in regards to the eventualities the Center East is bracing for: https://t.co/9G58839yVw
— Jotam Confino (@mrconfino) August 5, 2024
On the identical day, a suspected rocket assault hit a U.S. army base in Iraq.
My newest: Yoav Gallant, Israel’s defence minister, coordinated Israel’s response together with his Italian and American counterparts, discussing a sequence of “eventualities and corresponding defensive and offensive capabilities”.https://t.co/BRapr73Wzr
— Jotam Confino (@mrconfino) August 5, 2024
Blinken careworn the urgency of diplomatic efforts to attain a ceasefire. “A ceasefire would unlock prospects for extra enduring calm not solely in Gaza itself however in different areas the place the battle can unfold,” he famous. Earlier, Biden spoke with Jordan’s King Abdullah II about efforts to scale back tensions, together with a right away ceasefire and a hostage launch deal.
Biden opinions Iranian menace updates
The G7 additionally expressed “deep concern on the heightened degree of stress within the Center East” in a joint assertion. The Iran-backed militia Hezbollah might play a job in any retaliatory actions.
The U.S. and UK have suggested residents to go away Lebanon, fearing Hezbollah’s involvement. Airways resembling Lufthansa and Delta have suspended flights to Tel Aviv, Tehran, and Beirut because of the battle. The UK Overseas Workplace presently advises in opposition to all journey to Lebanon and northern Israel close to the Lebanon border.
The Gaza battle started after an October 7 assault on Israel by Hamas and different militant teams, leading to round 1,200 deaths and tons of taken hostage. Israel’s floor invasion of Gaza has led to over 39,600 Palestinian deaths, in accordance with the Hamas-run well being ministry. Hezbollah and Israeli forces have clashed near-daily, inflicting tons of of deaths and displacements on either side of the Israel-Lebanon border.
Each Hezbollah and Hamas are backed by Iran and a part of what Iran calls the “axis of resistance,” a free alliance of militant and political teams against Israel and its key ally, the U.S.