Iran has dismissed Western calls against retaliating for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, blaming Israel for the assassination. President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized the West for remaining silent on Israeli attacks in the Middle East, calling it irresponsible. The White House warned of potential attacks by Iran and its allies and has deployed military support to Israel. Analysts suggest Iran will likely respond to Israeli strikes, possibly through proxies in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and Gaza.
In the midst of escalating tensions, Hamas fired rockets at Tel Aviv for the first time in months, with talks for a ceasefire in Gaza set to begin. Far-right parties in Israel, however, oppose any pause in hostilities. A provocative visit by ultranationalist minister Itamar Ben Gvir to a disputed religious site in Jerusalem aimed at disrupting negotiations and advocating for victory in the Gaza conflict.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to significant casualties, with Palestinians bearing the brunt of the violence. Pressure for a ceasefire has increased following a deadly Israeli airstrike on a school housing displaced Palestinians. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for a wider confrontation with Iran and its proxies looming large. The international community is working to prevent a major conflagration in the region as tensions continue to rise.
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