2024-08-04 13:45:41
Tensions are rising in the Middle East as the Israeli military conducted airstrikes on the West Bank, a Palestinian autonomous region, on the 3rd (local time), and the pro-Iranian militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon launched a rocket attack on northern Israel the next day. As the aftermath of the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political bureau of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, in Tehran on the 31st of last month continues, there are also observations that Iran could attack Israel as early as the 5th.
As the situation became tense, the United States, which was trying to prevent an escalation in the Middle East, also became busy. According to Axios and other sources, General Michael Eric Kurilla, commander of the US Central Command, which commands US forces stationed in the Middle East, made an emergency visit to the Middle East. In addition, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin strengthened naval and air forces in the Middle East.
● Tensions rise as Israel and Hezbollah strike back and forth
Reuters reported on the 3rd that the Israeli army conducted two airstrikes in the West Bank, killing nine Hamas members. The West Bank is under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority (PA), which has a more moderate stance than Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, and has negotiated with Israeli authorities. The New York Times reported that “Israel has conducted a rare operation in the West Bank.” The last time Israel conducted a large-scale military operation in the West Bank was in July of last year.
On the 4th, Hezbollah fired about 30 rockets into northern Israel, which borders Israel. According to Israeli media outlet Ynet, most of the rockets were shot down by air defenses, so there were no casualties, but some buildings caught fire and caused chaos. The Israeli military immediately announced that it had conducted an airstrike in southern Lebanon and destroyed the rocket launchers. Tensions between the two sides have been high since the Israeli airstrike on Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, on the 30th of last month, which killed Fuad Shukr, the commander of the military responsible for the attack against Israel.
● Biden slams Netanyahu, saying, “Stop talking nonsense”
The United States is struggling to prevent a full-scale war between Israel, armed with advanced Western weapons, and Iran, which has the largest military force in the Middle East. In particular, it is cooperating closely with Israel to prevent Iranian attacks. On the 2nd, Secretary Austin ordered the deployment of the strike group of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln to the Middle East, and the additional deployment of naval cruisers, destroyers, and a squadron of F-22 fighters with ballistic missile defense capabilities to the Middle East. This is a reinforcement of air defense assets. When Iran launched its first large-scale missile attack on the Israeli mainland in April, the US military also participated in the interception.
However, U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are said to have had a war of words over Haniya’s assassination. According to the Times of Israel, in a phone call on the 1st, the day after Haniya’s assassination, when Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed that “Haniyah’s death will ultimately help in ceasefire negotiations,” President Biden retorted, “Stop talking nonsense. Is the U.S. president easy?”
● “Iran will retaliate within days”
According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), known locally as the “government above governments,” announced the results of its investigation on the 3rd, stating that “Israel assassinated Haniya with a short-range missile.” The IRGC, which suffered humiliation over Haniya’s death in Anji, has effectively denied claims made by Western media outlets of “Mossad infiltration,” “recruitment of the IRGC,” and “installation of a remote-controlled bomb.”
Many predict that retaliation is inevitable since Iran has stated that Israel is behind Haniya’s assassination. Axios reported that “Iran will attack Israel as early as the 5th.” Arab media, including Saudi Arabia’s Sky News Arabia, cited the Jewish holiday ‘Tisha B’Av’ (the 12th and 13th) as a likely time for an attack. The US, UK, and France are urging their citizens residing in Lebanon to evacuate.
Reporter Lee Ji-yoon [email protected]
Reporter Kim Bo-ra [email protected]
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2024-08-04 13:45:41