The US and Israel are expecting a major attack from Iran
An Iranian retaliation strike following the killing of Hamas leader Haniyeh in Tehran is likely only a matter of time. Israel and the USA are taking appropriate precautions. Meanwhile, Hezbollah considers itself already in "open combat on all fronts."
Israel and the USA are preparing for retaliatory strikes from Iran and its allies following the killing of the political leader of the Islamist Hamas in Tehran. US President Joe Biden assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone of US support "against all threats from Iran," including its terrorist proxy groups, such as Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen, the White House said. Biden stressed the importance of efforts to de-escalate the situation in the region.
Netanyahu had previously warned Iran and its allies against an attack. "We will exact a heavy price for any act of aggression against us, from wherever it may come," he said at a meeting with commanders, according to his office. In anticipation of possible retaliatory strikes, the army has been put on high alert, with Israel in a state of maximum readiness, Netanyahu said.
Biden expressed "deep concern" about the escalating tensions in the Middle East. "I am very concerned about it," he said to reporters late Tuesday. The killing of Hamas chief Haniyeh in Iran "has not improved the situation." He also called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to quickly reach an agreement with the Islamist Palestinian organization Hamas on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
The US news portal Axios reported, citing three US officials, that the US government believes Iran will attack Israel in the coming days. Hamas' external leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was reportedly assassinated in the Iranian capital early Wednesday. The exact cause of death is not clear. Hamas blames Israel, which has not yet commented on the matter.
Hamas calls for "Day of Rage"
After a funeral ceremony in Tehran on Thursday, Haniyeh is expected to be buried today in the Qatari capital, Doha, where he had been living in exile. Hamas has called for a "Day of Rage" today in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Palestinians are expected to pray for Haniyeh in mosques during the Friday prayer, with marches of rage to follow. "Let every mosque pour out marches of raging anger to condemn the cowardly crime," Hamas said in a statement.
News of Haniyeh's death came just hours after an Israeli airstrike in a suburb of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. Both Iran and Hamas, as well as Hezbollah, have threatened retaliation. There are fears of a coordinated major attack on Israel by Iran, Hezbollah, and other militias.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah sees a new phase of hostilities in the Middle East. "We are in an open war on all fronts, which has entered a new phase," he said in a video message at Shukr's funeral in Beirut. The enemy (Israel) should expect anger and revenge and "weep because you do not know what red lines you have crossed."
Since Israel needs to defend itself against rocket and drone attacks, the phone call between US President Biden and Netanyahu also discussed new US military aid for Israel, the White House announced. No details were provided. The call, which lasted around 30 minutes according to Israeli reports, was also joined by Vice President Kamala Harris.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared today a national day of mourning for the slain Hamas chief Haniyeh. "This is to express our support for the Palestinian cause and our solidarity with our Palestinian brothers," Erdogan wrote on X. He had previously condemned the assassination and accused Israel of trying to ignite a regional war.
In a conversation with US President Biden, Erdogan said, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency, that Israel's government has proven at every step that it does not want a ceasefire in Gaza or peace. Instead, Israel is trying to escalate the fire in Gaza to the entire region. The killing of Haniyeh has dealt a heavy blow to efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, he said.
Reports: Bomb remained undetected for weeks
The "New York Times" and the "Wall Street Journal" reported, citing sources, that Haniyeh was killed in Tehran by a remote-controlled bomb. The attackers managed to smuggle the bomb into Haniyeh's room in a guesthouse of the Revolutionary Guards, Iran's elite military force, which is usually well-guarded. The bomb remained undetected for several weeks. Haniyeh's bodyguard also died in the attack. The reports said the attack was seen as a result of catastrophic failure by Iranian intelligence and a major embarrassment for the Revolutionary Guards.
In response to what is believed to be an Israeli attack in southern Lebanon, Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets into Israel, it said. The Israeli military said some were intercepted, and the rest fell on open ground. No injuries were reported. Shortly after the attacks, the Israeli Air Force bombed Hezbollah's launch site in southern Lebanon, it added.
Lebanese reports said at least four people were killed in an Israeli attack in southern Lebanon earlier. The Israeli military has not yet commented on this. Due to security concerns, Lufthansa has canceled its flights to Beirut and Tel Aviv for the coming days. The ban applies to all airlines in the Lufthansa group, including Swiss, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings, for both cargo and passenger flights, a spokesperson said.
The United States, along with its ally Israel, is strengthening their defenses in anticipation of potential retaliatory attacks from Iran and its allies, following the reported assassination of Hamas leader Haniyeh in Tehran. The United States and Israel are closely coordinating their responses, with US President Joe Biden offering support against all threats from Iran.
