An Israeli strike against a Hezbollah target in the Khiam region of southern Lebanon, on June 25. Photographer: Chris McGrath/Getty Images
Amid the ongoing Gaza war, Israel and Iran are on the brink of what is being called a potential “World War 3 teaser” on social media. The risk of military escalation between the two foes was triggered by the assassination of top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital, Tehran, last week.
According to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, an attack on Israel by Iran and its allies could commence on Monday. This would mean a potential simultaneous attack on Israel by Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and Iran itself.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that “Israel is in a multifront war against Iran’s axis of evil” and added that the country was prepared for any scenario. Israel has denied involvment in Haniyeh’s killing.
The killing of a senior Hezbollah leader in Lebanon last week has only worsened the situation. Following the incident, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said on Thursday that the war with Israel “has entered a new phase.”
With the aim of averting this potential conflict, the US is also pressing Netanyahu to redouble negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza. On the failure to secure a negotiation deal despite the 10-month-long war, Israel says that Hamas keeps changing its demands, a charge the Jewish state is facing itself.
Amid fears over rising tensions, the Group of Seven (G7) nations’ foreign ministers met on a video conference on Sunday to discuss the regional crisis.
In Israel, people prepared bomb shelters anticipating possible strikes. According to the Times of Israel, the country’s security establishment was also considering the possibility of “preventive actions or attacks,” including in Lebanon.
First Published: Aug 05 2024 | 10:42 AM IST
