Israel and Iran on the brink of regional war
Tensions between Israel and Iran have reached a critical point, with fears of a major regional war breaking out after Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel. The conflict, which started last October with attacks between Israel and Gaza, has now escalated to include Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Key moments in the timeline include Hezbollah and Israel exchanging fire in October 2023, with Hezbollah targeting Israeli military posts in solidarity with Palestinians. Cross-border attacks continued on a near-daily basis, with the majority of attacks coming from Israeli forces.
The situation intensified in April 2024 when Israel targeted the Iranian consulate in Damascus, resulting in 13 deaths including a top IRGC commander. Iran retaliated by launching 300 missiles and drones towards Israel, marking the first direct attack on Israeli territory.
The conflict further escalated with the assassination of Hamas’s political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Israel killing more than 700 people in Lebanon, including Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The use of banned “bunker buster” bombs in residential areas further fueled the violence.
Experts believe the lack of intervention from the international community and US support for Israel’s actions have enabled the escalation. Iran has been criticized for its response, seen as an attempt to deter Israel’s ongoing escalations in the region.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, the risk of a full-blown regional war looms large. Leaders and observers urge immediate de-escalation and international intervention to prevent further loss of life and humanitarian crisis in the region.
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