- War threat in the Middle East: Pressure on Iran grows
Given the recent threats of retaliatory strikes by Iran and its allies against Israel, the situation in the Middle East is tense. Israel warns its enemies of devastating consequences. "We will send a very clear message to our enemies, those who attack us, those who speak in every speech about destroying the State of Israel," warned Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi during a visit to an air force base. According to media reports, the focus is particularly on the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, where hospitals are reportedly preparing for the worst.
"As things stand, (Hezbollah chief Hassan) Nasrallah could bring the Lebanon to pay a very high price. You can't imagine what could happen," Israel's Defense Minister Joav Galant told "Times of Israel" during a visit to troops. It appears increasingly likely that Hezbollah could attack Israel in the coming days, regardless of Iran's intentions, two sources familiar with intelligence told CNN overnight. It is not clear whether Iran and Hezbollah will coordinate a potential attack.
Israel draws red line
The Israeli government has informed its ally the US that the Israeli military would react "disproportionately" if Hezbollah attacks Israeli civilians in retaliation for the recent killing of its top military commander, Israeli journalist Barak Ravid reported on the US news portal "Axios," citing two unnamed Israeli officials. This is an attempt to define a line that would force Israel to escalate the months-long conflict with Hezbollah and risk a war.
For days, the US and its Western and Middle Eastern allies have been urging Iran and Israel to ease tensions and prevent a major war in the region. French President Emmanuel Macron urged Iran's new President Massoud Peseschkian in a phone call to do everything to avoid further military escalation that would not be in Iran's interest and would seriously harm regional stability, the Élysée Palace said.
Report: Iran could reassess its stance
A commentator for the "Washington Post" believes that the intense diplomatic efforts could now be paying off. While the risk of an Iranian attack remains high, White House officials told the newspaper that the efforts are gradually paying off and there is a possibility that Iran could reassess its stance. The military show of force, including the deployment of additional US warships and fighter jets to the region, has also contributed to this.
Iran is well aware that the US will defend its interests and partners relentlessly, a senior US government official told the newspaper. Iran has also been made aware that a larger escalation would have serious implications for the stability of the new government of President Peseschkian.
Egypt has meanwhile prohibited its airlines from flying over the Iranian capital Tehran early Thursday morning. "All Egyptian airlines should avoid flights over Tehran," said a security advisory from the Egyptian civil aviation authority in Cairo. Plans for flights over this area would be rejected. The instruction was in effect from 3 am (MEZ) for three hours. The aviation authority referred to a warning from Iranian authorities that military exercises were planned around the same time in the country.
Previously, Jordan had issued an advisory to airlines to prepare their aircraft in its airspace for a possible Iranian attack. All arriving aircraft should be refueled in advance for an additional 45 minutes of flight time, it said.
The information desk of the international airport in Tehran meanwhile described the situation in Iranian airspace as normal. Only some airlines like Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines have temporarily suspended their flights to Tehran due to a possible military conflict with Israel. Turkish Airlines at least stopped its night flights.
Lebanon's health sector prepares for the worst
Due to the impending escalation, hospitals in Lebanon are preparing for the worst. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, hospitals in the economically struggling country have a supply for around four months. However, if in case of escalation the ports or airports of the country also become targets and go out of operation, the supplies of the largest public hospital, the Rafik Hariri University Hospital, would only last for a maximum of ten days, said director Jihad Saadeh to dpa. If the hospital is flooded with patients, the supplies could run out in just a few days.
After the killing of Hamas' external chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and the killing of the military commander of the Hezbollah militia by an Israeli attack in Beirut, the danger of a major war in the Middle East is tangible. The Jewish state is considered by 57 Islamic countries to be fully responsible for Haniyeh's death. The attack was a "flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter," the final declaration of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) said after an emergency meeting in Saudi Arabia.
Islamic countries: Struggle for Palestinians to be intensified
The struggle for justice for the Palestinians will now be intensified, said Gambia's Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara, whose country currently holds the chairmanship of the organization. Israel has not yet commented on Haniyeh's death. According to US media, he died in a bomb explosion.
Hamas is said to have appointed a new negotiator for the talks on a ceasefire in the contested Gaza Strip. Khalil al-Haya will represent Hamas in the indirect negotiations and be subject to the instructions of its new leader, Yahya al-Sinwar, the Saudi Arabian TV channel Al Hadath reported, citing three Palestinian sources, including a Hamas official. Haniyeh had been considered the chief diplomat of Hamas until his death.
Unlike his predecessor Haniyeh, who led a luxurious life in Qatar as the head of Hamas' political bureau, Sinwar has been hiding since orchestrating the massacre in Israel's border region on October 7. He is believed to be somewhere in the extensive tunnel network beneath the blockaded coastal strip. The impact of the consolidation of power within Hamas under Sinwar on efforts to achieve a ceasefire remains uncertain. So far, he has shown no signs of compromise, firmly rejecting any deals with Israel.
In response to the potential escalation, the United States has been strongly advocating for peace in the region, urging both Iran and Israel to deescalate tensions and avoid a major war. However, the Israeli government has made it clear that it will respond with disproportionate force if Hezbollah, backed by Iran, attacks Israeli civilians.
