Israel on highest alert amid Iran and Hezbollah threat
The Israeli military is on "highest alert" due to the possibility of an attack from Iran or Hezbollah, said army spokesman Daniel Hagari on Monday evening. According to Israeli and US authorities, a "significant attack" could occur in the coming days.
7:48 AM EDT, August 13, 2024
Hagari stated that they are closely observing the activities of adversaries, particularly Hezbollah and Iran. He mentioned that the Israeli air force has intensified patrols over Lebanon to identify and address potential threats. The army spokesperson also emphasized that the military is ready for both defensive and offensive operations.
He also assured that the public will be informed of any threats as early as possible. However, this will be done in such a way "as not to provide our enemies with intelligence and operational advantages."
Will Iran strike Israel?
On Sunday evening, Israeli media reported that, according to intelligence, a direct attack from Iran on Israel can be expected in the coming days. This is a change from previous assessments, which suggested that Iran had refrained from a strong retaliatory strike due to international pressure and that Hezbollah alone would attack Israel.
Both Iran and its ally, Lebanese Hezbollah, have vowed revenge for the deaths of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders at the end of July in attacks attributed to Israel.
Washington urges ceasefire
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby indicated on Monday that Iran is likely to launch a substantial wave of attacks on Israel as early as this week. He also mentioned that President Joe Biden has spoken with the leaders of Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy regarding the situation in the Middle East.
"Prime Minister Keir Stramer, President Emmanuel Macron, Chancellor Scholz, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and I express our support for efforts to de-escalate tensions and reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza. All Parties must live up to their responsibilities," Biden wrote on platform X after a series of conversations.
"We support Israel in its defense against Iran and the terrorist groups it sponsors and call on Tehran to stop threatening this country," declared leaders of the US and four European countries in a joint statement.
Washington sees a ceasefire not only as an opportunity to end the war in the Gaza Strip, which has already claimed nearly 40,000 Palestinian lives, but also to calm broader tensions in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Starmer spoke with the president of Iran
On Monday evening, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Iranian President Masud Pezeszkian, urging Teheran to refrain from a retaliatory attack on Israel because of the serious risk of miscalculation and that war is in no one's interest.
The Prime Minister said he is deeply concerned about the regional situation and called on all sides to de-escalate and avoid further confrontation. "here was a serious risk of miscalculation, and now was the time for calm and careful consideration," said Starmer. "He called on Iran to refrain from attacking Israel, adding that war was not in anyone’s interests," according to a statement issued by Downing Street after the 30-minute phone conversation between the two leaders.
The leaders concurred that fostering a constructive dialogue between the United Kingdom and Iran benefits both nations. According to the statement, the Prime Minister emphasized that this dialogue can only persist if Iran halts its destabilizing actions, including threats against individuals in the UK and its continued support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Source: PAP, X, WP News
