The United States is sending its advanced anti-missile system, the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery, to Israel along with a military crew to operate it. This deployment comes in response to Iran's recent attacks against Israel and serves as a clear demonstration of US support for Israel's defense. The move also marks a broader adjustment in the US military's approach to protecting Americans in Israel from attacks by Iran and its allies. As this decision is made, Israel is grappling with ongoing threats and attacks from Iran and its proxy, Hezbollah, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling for the withdrawal of UN peacekeeping forces from southern Lebanon to ensure their safety. The tensions between Israel and Iran continue to escalate, with Israel reaffirming its commitment to defending its future against the "axis of evil."
US President Joe Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to minimize civilian harm as Israel mulls its response to Iran's recent missile strike. This call comes amid mounting pressure from Washington not to strike Iran's oil or nuclear facilities prior to the US presidential elections. The two leaders agreed to stay in close contact over the next few days, and Vice President Kamala Harris also joined the call. Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has pledged that their attack on Iran will be "deadly, precise, and surprising." The leaders also discussed Israel's offensive against Iranian ally Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Israel continues its military strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, hitting Hezbollah weapons storage facilities. This comes after the Israeli military killed a Hezbollah commander and issued new evacuation orders in southern Lebanon. tensions between Israel and Iran continue to escalate as Iran resumes flights after a temporary cancellation due to Israeli threats of retaliation for their missile attack. This conflict is a year after the deadly Hamas attacks that rocked Israel in 7 October.
In a newly released briefing, the Israel Defense Forces revealed that their special forces have been actively operating in southern Lebanon since November last year. Their main goal has been to locate and destroy any tunnels and infrastructure used by the terrorist group Hezbollah. The briefing showcased the extensive undercover operations that the commandos have been conducting, including the use of body cameras and air strikes on tunnel locations. This comes as Israel announces a ground incursion into southern Lebanon in an effort to prevent Hezbollah's planned "Conquer the Galilee" invasion.
In a dangerous escalation in the volatile region, Iran has launched a major missile strike targeting sites across Israel. This comes after Israel killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and sent troops into Lebanon, prompting Iran to retaliate. US President Biden has directed the military to shoot down the missiles and tensions remain high as Iran promises a "crushing response" to any further acts from Israel.
After 32 years of leading Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah was killed in a targeted Israeli Air Strike on the group's central headquarters in Beirut. The strike, authorized by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was carried out after precise intelligence showed that Nasrallah and other senior Hezbollah commanders were actively planning terrorist activities against Israel. The Israeli military confirmed Nasrallah's death, stating that he was responsible for the deaths of many Israeli civilians and soldiers during his reign as Hezbollah's Secretary-General.
As tensions between Israel and Lebanon's militant group Hezbollah escalate, many fear that it could potentially erupt into a full-blown war. Hezbollah, a political, social, and military powerhouse in Lebanon, has been engaged in a long-standing battle with Israel since its founding in 1982. With support from Iran, Hezbollah poses a formidable threat to Israel and continues to seek its destruction. As the situation intensifies, the world looks on with concern for the potential consequences of this volatile conflict.