Fears of War Grow: US General Visits Middle East Amid Potential Iranian Attack on Israel

Fears of War Grow: US General Visits Middle East Amid Potential Iranian Attack on Israel

Middle East tensions have escalated due to a slew of violent events, such as airstrikes, assassinations, and military mobilizations, which have created the conditions for possible protracted hostilities. In response to the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Israel was placed on high alert for a potential Iranian attack when General Michael Kurilla of the US Central Command arrived in the Middle East on Saturday, according to Axios.

Planned before to the recent upsurge in hostilities, this tour is perceived as an important attempt to mobilize regional and international support similar to the coalition that supported Israel in April. According to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, Haniyeh was killed with a short-range rocket, and Israel—which the US supports—was responsible for the attack. The statement from the Guard stated, “The Zionist regime planned and executed the action, with U.S. support.” It further stated, “Harsh punishment will be meted out to the warmongering and terrorist Zionist regime at the appropriate time, place, and capacity.”

Israel has remained silent about its involvement in Haniyeh’s murder. Calls for revenge have been sparked by this occurrence, and Iran and its allies, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, have promised to respond. Hours after Israel killed Hezbollah’s military chief in Beirut, Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran. Iran declared on Saturday that it anticipates Hezbollah to move beyond military targets and strike more inside Israel.

According to US and Israeli officials, there could be an attack on Israel by Iran as soon as Monday. Fearing possible retaliation from Iran, the US has stepped up its military presence in the area. In addition to a fighter jet squadron being stationed there, the Pentagon said that an aircraft carrier will be maintained in the Middle East. Anticipating potential escalation, the governments of the United States and Great Britain have also encouraged their people to evacuate Lebanon.

In the meantime, Egyptian intelligence officers were the subject of a brief visit to Cairo by an Israeli group headed by Mossad Chief David Barnea. This follows US President Joe Biden’s request to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to explore a cease-fire, even with the additional complications brought up by Ismail Haniyeh’s murder in Tehran.

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Nine Palestinian terrorists were killed on Saturday by Israeli airstrikes in the West Bank, despite ongoing efforts to bring about a cease-fire in Gaza. Five people inside a car that Hamas had identified as militants were killed, according to the Israeli army, after its forces struck the vehicle outside Tulkarem. Four more militants were later slain when they are said to have opened fire on Israeli soldiers. With the resumption of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza in October, over 590 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank.