A top U.S. general is currently in the Middle East as the U.S. and Israel brace for a potential attack from Iran, which could occur “as early as Monday morning.”
According to Axios, officials in Washington and Jerusalem anticipate that Iran and its proxies might retaliate against Israel “as early as Monday morning.” This potential response is linked to the recent killings of Hezbollah military chief Fuad Shukr and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. There are concerns that Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group based in Lebanon, could play a significant role in any retaliation, potentially leading to a serious response from Israel.
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Here are the top developments:
- Gen. Michael Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, reportedly arrived in the Middle East yesterday for a pre-planned visit that coincides with heightened defense preparations for a possible Iranian strike, according to The Times of Israel.
- The Pentagon announced it is deploying a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East and maintaining an aircraft carrier in the region to strengthen the U.S. military presence, aiming to support Israel and protect U.S. troops.
- According to the BBC, two British military ships are already stationed in the region, and the Royal Air Force has put transport helicopters on standby.
- The United States has advised its citizens to leave Lebanon “using any available ticket” due to fears that the conflict in the Middle East could escalate. Similarly, the UK, Sweden, France, Canada, and Jordan have issued warnings to their citizens.
- Israel and the U.S. are working together with a regional and international coalition to prevent potential attacks, echoing the April 13-14 incident when Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel.
- Around 00:25 local time on Sunday, Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets at Beit Hillel in northern Israel. Social media footage showed Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system intercepting the rockets. No casualties have been reported.
The situation
Cross-border clashes between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah have intensified since the October 7 attacks, with over 400 fatalities reported in Lebanon and 30 in Israel, according to The Conversation. Both sides have experienced considerable displacement, with around 150,000 people on each side of the border forced to evacuate their homes.
Live update: Hezbollah says it launched ‘dozens’ of rockets at Israel; several impacts reported https://t.co/WEjllctWCb
— ToI ALERTS (@TOIAlerts) August 3, 2024
According to News18, despite the recent escalation following October 7, Hezbollah and Israel have been intermittently clashing since Hezbollah’s establishment in 1982. Residents of Haifa in northern Israel are concerned about possible Hezbollah attacks, while those in southern Lebanon are wary of potential IDF strikes.
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Although most attacks have been aimed at military targets, civilians in southern Lebanon have been heavily impacted, prompting many to flee their homes.
Hezbollah is reported to have a sophisticated arsenal, including over a million rockets, anti-tank weapons, suicide drones, and various missiles, primarily supplied by Iran and Russia. While Israel’s missile stockpile is larger, the IDF faces complex political, strategic, theological, and economic challenges.
