Israel's attacks in Lebanon and the United States in Iran on Tuesday endanger the ceasefire and deal a blow to negotiations aimed at ending the war in the Middle East.
The Israeli army carried out new bombings in southern Lebanon and called for the evacuation of about 40 villages, despite the ceasefire. According to Lebanese authorities, 31 people, including at least four children, died in the attacks and another 40 were injured.
In addition to the airstrikes, Israel announced the expansion of its ground operations against Hezbollah beyond the "yellow line" established in southern Lebanon, about ten kilometers from the border. "We are intensifying our action in Lebanon" and "reinforcing the security zone to protect the northern towns of Israel," warned Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Revolutionary Guards consider the likelihood of a resumption of war "low"
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards estimated on Wednesday the likelihood of a resumption of war with the United States as unlikely amid diplomatic negotiations, although they stated they are prepared to face a new attack.
"The probability of war is low due to the weakness of the enemy," declared Mohammad Akbarzadeh, a senior official of the Revolutionary Guards' naval forces, as reported by the Tasnim news agency. However, he added, "the armed forces remain on alert, with their magazines full," vowing to "turn the area" from east to west of the Gulf into "a cemetery for the aggressors," as reported by Afp.
Israel claims to have killed the new head of Hamas's armed wing in Gaza
Israel announced on Wednesday that it had killed in an attack the day before the new head of Hamas's armed wing in Gaza, Mohamed Odeh, after eliminating his predecessor in a similar bombing earlier this month.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated, "The commander of the armed wing of the terrorist organization Hamas in Gaza was eliminated yesterday and sent to meet his comrades in the depths of hell," according to Afp.
"We committed to eliminating all those who led the massacre on October 7, and that is what we will do: all are marked for death, wherever they are," Katz added on the X social network, referring to Hamas's 2023 attacks that triggered the war in Gaza.
Netanyahu announces the seizure of new "strategic areas"
In addition to the airstrikes, Israel announced the expansion of its ground operations against the pro-Iranian movement Hezbollah beyond the "yellow line" established in southern Lebanon, about ten kilometers from the border.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday an escalation in attacks on Lebanon and the seizure of new "strategic areas" by the Army.
"The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) are operating with a large contingent on the ground and are taking control of strategic areas. We are reinforcing the security zone to protect the communities in the north of Israel," Netanyahu said at the start of the Israeli security cabinet meeting, according to Efe.
Israeli attacks leave 31 dead in Lebanon
The Israeli army carried out new bombings on Tuesday in southern Lebanon, causing 31 deaths according to Beirut, and called for the evacuation of about 40 villages, despite the ceasefire.
According to a statement from the Lebanese Ministry of Health, 31 people, including at least four children and three women, died in these attacks and another 40 were injured. Fourteen people died in Burj al-Shamali, near Tyre, the ministry specified, according to Afp.