Iran Warns of Regional Instability Amid Gaza Strikes

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Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has cautioned Israel about the potential for the Middle East to spiral into chaos if strikes on Gaza do not cease. Amir-Abdollahian also attributed part of the blame to the US for its military support to Israel.

A Battle for Survival, Says Israeli PM

Following Iran’s warning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stark statement to his troops, claiming they were in a fight for their lives. Netanyahu referred to the ongoing conflict with Hamas as a “do or die” situation. Iran is known to back both Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, with the former launching attacks on Israel that resulted in the deaths of 1,400 people two weeks prior.

Rising Death Toll in Gaza

In the past fortnight, over 4,600 Palestinians have lost their lives in Gaza, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry. As the death toll rises, Israel has declared an intensification of air strikes. Amir-Abdollahian cautioned the US and Israel that if they don’t halt their actions in Gaza, the region could lose control, with severe and far-reaching repercussions.

US Warns of Conflict Escalation

The US has expressed concerns about the conflict spreading. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin warned of a possible “significant escalation of attacks” on US troops or citizens. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pointed out the “likelihood of escalation” from Iranian proxies such as Hezbollah or Hamas and assured measures are being taken to protect Israelis and US citizens.

Tensions Rise on Northern Border

Israeli PM Netanyahu visited troops in northern Israel near the Lebanon border, an area that has seen fire exchanges with Hezbollah since the conflict’s inception. Netanyahu warned Hezbollah against joining the war, promising a devastating response.

Hezbollah, on the other hand, has stated its readiness to fight against Israel. The ongoing conflict has resulted in at least 27 deaths in southern Lebanon and six deaths in Israel, according to military reports.

In a related development, Israel has ordered the evacuation of dozens of northern communities, with 14 more added to the list recently. Meanwhile, in neighboring Syria, where Iran maintains a military presence, Israeli missiles struck Damascus and Aleppo international airports, leading to at least two reported deaths.