Beirut: As the possibility of an Iran-Israel conflict escalating into a full-scale war looms, countries including the US have issued warnings for their citizens to leave Lebanon. Citizens are urged to use available means of transportation to exit the country as soon as possible.
The tensions arose following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Both Hamas and Iran accuse Israel of the attack. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, has vowed retaliation. Local media report that Iran is likely to strike back soon.
Ismail Haniyeh was killed in a bomb explosion just hours after attending the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s President Masoud Pesheskian. Israel has also claimed responsibility for the assassination of Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif. The US and other countries assess that Hezbollah, supported by Iran, is likely to retaliate. An attack from Hezbollah would likely prompt a severe response from Israel.
Talks to de-escalate the conflict are being led by the US. Countries including the US, UK, Sweden, France, Canada, and Jordan have advised their citizens to leave Lebanon. Several flights from Beirut have been canceled. Early this morning, Hezbollah conducted multiple rocket attacks on northern Israel. The Pentagon has deployed more warships and aircraft to the region. The UK has also increased its military presence in the area.
Meanwhile, an Israeli airstrike on a school housing refugees in the Sheikh Radwan area of Gaza City killed 15 Palestinians. Israel claims the school was being used as a Hamas command center.
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