Officials have been on the lookout for retaliatory strikes by both Iran and Hezbollah for the killings, and the U.S. has been beefing up its presence in the region.
John Kirby, the White House national security spokesman, said Iran’s response to the killings “could be this week,” but that “it is difficult to ascertain at this particular time if there’s an attack by Iran or its proxies what it could look like.”
Attack by Iran ‘Increasingly Likely,’ US, Israel Say
AL ARABIYA
US now says ‘significant attacks’ by Iran on Israel could come this week Top US diplomat expected to travel to Middle East in coming days The latest US intelligence assessment anticipates “significant attacks” by Iran and its proxies against Israel as soon as this week, the White House revealed on Monday. National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby said the US had its own assessments, which aligned with Israeli concerns about the timing of Iran’s promised retaliation for the assassination of a top Hamas official who was in Tehran for the inauguration of the new president...
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Blinken scheduled to travel to the Middle East Tuesday night, Axios reports
By REUTERS AUGUST 13, 2024 03:31 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to travel to the Middle East on Tuesday amid high tensions in the region, Axios reporter Barak Ravid said on social media on Monday, citing a source. Blinken has stops planned in Qatar, Egypt and Israel, Ravid added.
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Deadly Golan Heights rocket strike blamed on Hizbollah and assassination of Hamas political leader in Tehran risked further escalation; Israel continued assault on Gaza Strip and approved largest land seizure in West Bank since Oslo accords.
Deadly strike on Beirut and assassination of Hamas leader in Tehran risk igniting wider conflict.
Rocket strike 27 July killed 12, including children, and injured over 40 in Israeli-occupied Golan Heights village of Majdal Shams.
Israel and U.S. blamed attack on Hizbollah, which denied responsibility.
In response, Israeli air raid 30 July killed top Hizbollah commander Fuad Shukr and five civilians in Lebanese capital Beirut, while injuring at least 74 others;
Hizbollah vowed retaliation.
Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh killed 31 July in Iranian capital Tehran.
Hamas and Iran blamed operation on Israel as Hamas said killing would “take the battle to new dimensions” and Iran vowed “harsh punishment”.
Qatar same day questioned potential for ceasefire negotiations – which had stalled earlier in month – following assassination.
Earlier in month, Yemeni Houthi drone 19 July killed one and injured at least ten in Tel Aviv; in response, Israel next day struck Yemeni port of Hodeida, killing nine and injuring 87
(see Iran, Lebanon, Yemen).
Israel conducted major operations in Gaza.
Israel continued aerial bombardment and major assaults on Khan Younis, Rafah and Gaza City.
Notably, Israeli attack on humanitarian safe zone al-Masawi 13 July reportedly killed up to 100; week-long incursion into Khan Younis 22-30 July reportedly killed at least 255 and injured over 300.
Operations in July killed over 1,500 Palestinians, bringing death toll since 7 Oct to over 39,400;
medical journal The Lancet 5 July found total Gaza death toll (including deaths due to lack of food, healthcare and sanitation systems) could exceed 186,000.
UNRWA head 28 July said only 14% of Gaza’s territory was not under Israeli evacuation orders.
Israel approved largest land seizure in West Bank in decades.
Israeli NGO Peace Now 3 July reported Israel late June approved seizure of 12.7 square km in Jordan Valley, marking largest land annexation since 1993 Oslo accords.
Meanwhile, settler violence, raids and airstrikes continued in West Bank, killing at least 37 Palestinians and bringing death toll since 7 Oct to at least 576.
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JERUSALEM POSTBlinken scheduled to travel to the Middle East Tuesday night, Axios reportsBy REUTERS AUGUST 13, 2024 03:31.jfif)
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