Israel’s military says it is prepared to defend the country and strike back if Iran decides to attack. Iran has been threatening to avenge the deaths of two of its generals killed in an airstrike in Damascus last week. It blames Israel for the strike, though Israel has not commented.
Quick Read
- Israel’s military is on high alert, ready to defend the country and retalitate if Iran responds to the recent airstrike on the Iranian Consulate in Syria, which Tehran attributes to Israel, with the U.S. believing Israel conducted the attack.
- The ongoing conflict in Gaza, now at six months, has escalated tensions, raising concerns about broader Middle East implications.
- The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has intensified, with over 1 million people facing the threat of starvation, as confirmed by USAID’s Samantha Power, highlighting the dire situation in northern Gaza.
- The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with over 33,360 Palestinians killed in Gaza, many of whom are civilians, including women and children, according to the Health Ministry.
- The war began with a surprise attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, resulting in 1,200 Israeli casualties and around 250 hostages taken by Palestinian militants.
- Israel is bolstering its defenses in anticipation of potential retaliatory actions from Iran or its regional proxies, following the deaths of two Iranian generals in a Damascus airstrike.
- The Israeli military has emphasized its readiness to respond to any direct attacks from Iran, indicating a shift from proxy conflicts to potential direct confrontation.
- High-level military discussions are underway, with Gen. Erik Kurilla of the U.S. Central Command meeting with Israeli military leaders for strategic assessments.
- President Joe Biden reaffirmed the U.S.’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security amidst the escalating regional tensions.
The Associated Press has the story:
Israel vows to defend itself if Iran responds to attack on its consulate
Newslooks- JERUSALEM — (AP)
Israel’s military said Thursday it is prepared to defend the country and strike back if Iran retaliates for a deadly airstrike on the Iranian Consulate in Syria.
Tehran holds Israel responsible for the attack earlier this month, which the U.S. military believes Israel carried out. Israel has not commented on it. The increased tensions have sparked international concern that Israel’s devastating war against Hamas in Gaza could spill over into the rest of the Middle East.
Six months of fighting in Gaza have pushed the tiny Palestinian territory into a humanitarian crisis, leaving more than 1 million people on the brink of starvation. The head of the U.S. Agency for International Development, Samantha Power, told lawmakers Wednesday she accepted “credible” reports that famine is now occurring in hard-hit northern Gaza. President Joe Biden said this week that Israel is not doing enough to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Israeli bombardments and ground offensives have killed at least 33,360 Palestinians in Gaza and wounded 74,993, the Health Ministry says. The ministry doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants in its tally, but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.
The war started on Oct. 7 when Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis in a surprise attack, mostly civilians. Palestinian militants took around 250 people hostage.
Israel’s military says it is prepared to defend the country and strike back if Iran decides to attack. Iran has been threatening to avenge the deaths of two of its generals killed in an airstrike in Damascus last week. It blames Israel for the strike, though Israel has not commented.
Israel has called up additional air defense units and activated other troops in anticipation of an attack by either Iran or the many proxy militant groups it supports in the region.
The army’s chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, told reporters Thursday that an attack from Iranian territory “would be clear proof of Iranian intentions to escalate the Middle East and stop hiding behind the proxies.”
He said Israel has improved its offensive and defensive capabilities in recent months. “We will know how to act where needed,” he said.
Hagari said the head of the U.S. military’s Central Command, Gen. Erik Kurilla, arrived in Israel for a strategic assessment with Israeli military leaders.
U.S. President Joe Biden said this week that the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security remains ironclad.
Currently:
— More aid is supposed to be entering the Gaza Strip. Why isn’t it helping?
— U.S. Muslim leaders are ‘out of words’ as they tire of White House outreach on the war in Gaza
— A mission of mercy, then a fatal strike: How an aid convoy in Gaza became Israel’s target
— An Israeli airstrike in Gaza kills 3 sons and 4 grandchildren of top Hamas leader
— Trump renews criticism of Jewish voters who back Biden: ‘Should have their head examined’
— Find more AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
Here’s the latest:
