The United States has issued a warning to both Iran and Israel to prevent the escalation of conflict in the Middle East. Following the recent killing of senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah, there are concerns about potential retaliatory attacks from Iran and its allies. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of avoiding escalation, stating that further attacks could lead to unpredictable and uncontrollable outcomes.
Hamas has named Yahya Sinwar as the new head of its political bureau, following the assassination of its previous leader. Reports indicate that Vladimir Putin has urged Iran to avoid civilian casualties in any potential retaliatory attacks on Israel, underscoring the need for restraint in the region. UN peacekeepers on the Israeli-Lebanese border have been highlighted as crucial given the heightened tensions.
The situation in the Middle East remains tense, with Israeli forces conducting airstrikes in the West Bank and Gaza. Both Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in near-daily cross-border fire, raising concerns about a potential escalation. Lebanon is working to prevent a total war in the region following recent incidents.
In response to the conflict, Air France has suspended flights to Beirut, and Western ambassadors have skipped a ceremony in Nagasaki due to Israel being snubbed. Turkey is set to submit a declaration of intervention in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. The US has called on Hamas to help achieve a ceasefire, highlighting Yahya Sinwar as a key decision-maker in the group.
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