Sunday, August 4, 2024 The recent assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran has significantly escalated tensions in the Middle East. Iran and its proxies have vowed to retaliate against Israel, leading to heightened security concerns and swift responses from global airlines and military forces. The Big Picture US Response: The Pentagon has deployed additional fighter jets and Navy warships to the Middle East to deter Iranian-backed militias from escalating attacks on Israel.
Airline Suspensions: Major airlines such as United Airlines, Delta Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Swiss International Air Lines have suspended flights to Israel and Lebanon due to security concerns. Countries including the US, UK, and Sweden have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon because of the escalating conflict. State of Play Hezbollah’s Rocket Barrage: Hezbollah fired around 50 rockets from Lebanon into Israel’s upper Galilee region.
Israel’s Iron Dome intercepted most of them. Hezbollah claimed the attack was in response to Israeli strikes that killed civilians in two villages in southern Lebanon. Casualties in Lebanon: An Israeli airstrike on Lebanon’s southern region killed a 17-year-old girl and injured six civilians, some critically.
The attack occurred in the village of Deir Siryan, near the Israeli border. Background Assassinations Fuel Tensions: The assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr i.