Geo-political tensions have soared as recent intelligence suggests that Iran and Hezbollah might initiate a significant attack on Israel as early as Monday, according to warnings from US State Secretary Antony Blinken.
In response to these escalating threats, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly contemplating a preemptive strike to thwart any impending assault on Israeli soil.
The gravity of the situation was underscored by a high-level meeting convened by Netanyahu, which included key figures such as Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi. Intelligence leaders, Mossad’s David Barnea and Shin Bet’s Ronen Bar, were also involved, reflecting the critical nature of the ongoing crisis.
Hezbollah, established in the early 1980s with substantial support from Iran, has become a major proxy of Tehran in the Middle East. Armed and funded by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hezbollah aligns closely with Iran’s ideological stance and recruits primarily from Lebanon’s Shiite population.
The situation intensified following Israel’s recent assassination of Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr. The attack, which struck a densely populated residential area in south Beirut, resulted in the deaths of Shukr and five civilians, further inflaming regional tensions.
Additionally, the reported assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran — an act attributed to Israeli operations — has added to the volatility, though this has not been officially confirmed by Israeli authorities.
The ongoing clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, spurred by Hamas’s attack on October 7, have raised fears of a broader conflict similar to the 2006 Lebanon war. This has led several embassies, including India’s, to urge their citizens to evacuate Lebanon while flights are still available.
In response to the rapidly deteriorating situation, Antony Blinken has called a conference with G7 foreign ministers to coordinate efforts aimed at de-escalating the crisis and preventing further violence.
