Israeli defense forces have conducted strikes against military targets in Syria and Lebanon, escalating concerns of the ongoing offensive against Hamas leading to a broader conflict in the Middle East. Early Monday, it was confirmed that Israeli fighter jets had targeted rocket launchers in Syria and Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. These attacks were a retaliation to previous rocket launches into Israel.
While specific details about these strikes, including potential casualties, remain undisclosed by Israeli officials, independent confirmation about the nature and outcome of these attacks is yet to be ascertained.
In recent times, the Israeli military has found itself involved in skirmishes with the Lebanese militant group, Hezbollah, and has consistently carried out air raids on Syria ever since its engagement against Hamas began.
Adding to the regional complexities, the U.S. has also initiated strikes in Syria, attributing its actions to increased rocket and drone assaults on its forces in Syria and Iraq, pointing fingers at Iran-backed militias for these attacks. Notably, last Thursday, following President Joe Biden’s commitment to counteract any attacks on U.S. personnel, the Pentagon acknowledged having targeted two facilities in Syria associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other groups supported by Iran.
In the midst of this escalating tension, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei cautioned about potential regional amplification if Israel persists with its campaign against Hamas. Echoing similar concerns, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the dangers of the conflict spilling over Middle East borders if Israeli bombardments on Gaza don’t cease.
Highlighting the international apprehension surrounding the situation, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan expressed, in an interview with ABC News, the tangible risk of the conflict broadening into a larger regional war.
Iran, a supporter of both Hamas and Hezbollah, refuted any involvement in the recent October 7 Hamas-led attacks on Israel. Meanwhile, US and Israeli authorities acknowledged that no evidence pointing to Iran’s involvement has been discovered yet. Nevertheless, Iranian officials lauded the Palestinian militant group’s surprise assault as a triumph for “the anti-Zionist resistance.”
