The Middle East witnessed a heightened state of military preparedness as Israel geared up for potential confrontations beyond its ongoing operation in Gaza. This move came amidst growing concerns over Iran's threats of retaliation following Israeli airstrikes on its consulate in Syria earlier this month.
The April 1 strike, which claimed the lives of a high-ranking Iranian general and six other military officers, prompted a stern warning from Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "An attack on Israel is inevitable," he declared, fueling apprehensions of an imminent escalation in the region.
Addressing the nation on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the ongoing military campaign in Gaza but emphasized the need to prepare for potential scenarios in other areas. "We are preparing to meet the security needs of the state of Israel both in defense and attack," he stated, reflecting the gravity of the situation.
The tensions reverberated globally, with major airlines like Lufthansa and its subsidiary Austrian Airlines temporarily suspending flights to and from Tehran. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock engaged her Iranian counterpart, urging all parties to exercise restraint and avoid further destabilization in the region.
Moscow, too, issued a travel advisory, cautioning its citizens against visiting the Middle East, particularly Israel, Lebanon, and the Palestinian territories. The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, emphasized the importance of maintaining restraint to prevent a complete destabilization of the already volatile region.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi condemned the killing of three sons of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City. "Undoubtedly, this crime made clearer the savage and child-killing psyche of this regime," Tehran Times quoted Raisi as saying, reflecting Iran's support for anti-Israeli militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
According to a Bloomberg report, top U.S. officials believe a major Iranian attack on Israel is imminent, describing it as a "matter of when, not if." The report further suggested that the attack could occur in the coming days. In response, U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated America's "ironclad" support for Israel's security against threats from Iran and its proxies.
General Michael Kurilla, head of the U.S. Central Command, is expected to visit Tel Aviv on Thursday for consultations with Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The impending threat of an Iranian attack is likely to be a key topic of discussion, as per an Axios report.
Amidst the escalating tensions, Israel announced the return of 13 hostages who were held captive by Hamas in Gaza for 40 days, marking a rare positive development in the region.
As the situation remains fluid, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a diplomatic resolution to avert further violence and bloodshed in the volatile Middle East.
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