The White House has issued a stark warning about the possibility of a significant Iranian attack on Israel. According to John Kirby, White House spokesperson, the U.S. shares Israel’s assessment that Iran could launch the major attack it has been threatening as early as this week. The timing of such an attack, Kirby emphasized, could severely impact the ongoing negotiations for a Gaza hostage-ceasefire agreement, which are set to resume on August 15.
Kirby stressed the importance of preparation for what could be significant attacks. Speaking to reporters, he noted that the exact timing of any attack remains uncertain but could influence the course of the ceasefire talks. “Everyone needs to show up for talks on Thursday,” Kirby added, underscoring the importance of all parties’ participation in the negotiations.
Potential attack on Israel
In line with these concerns, Fox News has reported that Iran and its proxies in the Middle East might launch an attack on Israel within the next 24 hours. Citing sources in the region, Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst stated, “Officials [in the Middle East] believe we are reaching hour zero.” The report has heightened concerns as both Israel and the United States brace for a potential escalation.
As these developments unfold, Israel and the U.S. are making concerted efforts to prepare for a possible Iranian attack, particularly as negotiations to secure a ceasefire in Gaza intensify. According to a report, talks aimed at striking a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas are scheduled to resume this week, with meetings expected to take place either in Cairo or Doha. However, the recent assassinations of key Hezbollah and Hamas leaders, events that Iran and its allies have vowed to avenge, threaten to derail the peace efforts. Mediators are pushing hard to bring the conflicting parties back to the negotiating table to prevent a wider regional war.
Lebanon’s healthcare system
In a related development, Lebanon’s healthcare system, already battered by the country’s ongoing crisis, is now preparing for the possibility of a devastating wider conflict with Israel. In an interview with The Associated Press, Lebanon’s caretaker Health Minister, Firas Abiad, revealed that healthcare facilities have built up four months’ worth of critical supplies in anticipation of potential emergencies. He expressed hope that these preparations would prove unnecessary, stating, “The best thing that we want is for all of this to turn out to be unnecessary.”
Meanwhile, the Biden administration has reiterated its belief that a hostage-ceasefire agreement is still possible. Vedant Patel, the State Department’s deputy spokesperson, told reporters that the U.S. expects the talks scheduled for August 15 to proceed as planned, with continued efforts to work with all involved parties to secure a deal.
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On the ground, tensions have already escalated, with several reports from media sources indicating that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) carried out an airstrike on a Hezbollah rocket launcher in southern Lebanon’s Wardiyeh. The IDF also reportedly struck several Hezbollah-controlled buildings in Chihine and Jebbayn, areas from which rockets were fired at northern Israel earlier in the day.
The possibility of an Iranian attack looms large as Israel and the U.S. brace for potential military action while pushing hard for a ceasefire in Gaza. Diplomatic efforts are being made to prevent a wider war, with talks set to continue this week. The situation remains tense, with global leaders urging restraint. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in a phone call with Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, appealed for all possible measures to prevent further military escalation in the Middle East. Scholz warned that the spiral of violence in the region could lead to incalculable dangers if not addressed swiftly.
Israel’s continuous operations against Gaza
Amid these high-stakes developments, Israel has continued its military operations against Hamas. The IDF and the Shin Bet security agency confirmed the deaths of 31 Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives in a recent airstrike on a school in Gaza City. The IDF identified the target as an “active” Hamas and Islamic Jihad command room based out of a mosque within the school complex. The strike, which took place on Saturday, killed 19 Palestinians initially reported as terror operatives. The IDF has now released the names and photos of an additional 12 operatives killed in the attack.
