Following the recent killings of senior officials from Hamas and Hezbollah, Israel has been on high alert to prevent large-scale retaliatory attacks from its adversaries. U.S. officials have also hinted at potential imminent attacks. The G7 foreign ministers issued a statement on Monday (August 5) expressing concerns about the situation in the Middle East and urging all parties to avoid continuing the destructive cycle of retaliatory violence.
According to sources speaking to The Washington Post on Monday, the Biden administration has informed U.S. lawmakers that retaliatory strikes from Iran could occur as early as Monday or Tuesday. Due to sensitive security issues, these sources chose to remain anonymous.
The U.S. State Department stated that Secretary of State Blinken spoke with the G7 foreign ministers on Sunday, discussing the urgent need to de-escalate the situation in the Middle East.
In a statement released by the State Department, the G7 foreign ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the EU high representative, expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions in the Middle East, warning that such a situation could lead to a wider conflict in the region.
“We once again urge all relevant parties to halt the destructive cycle of retaliatory violence, to ease tensions, and to engage in constructive de-escalation. Further escalation in the Middle East serves no benefit to any country or nation,” the statement read.
Over the weekend, diplomatic efforts have been ongoing to ease tensions in the region and prevent the conflict in Gaza escalating into a full-scale war.
On Sunday evening, Israel and Hezbollah exchanged fire. The Israeli Defense Forces announced early Monday that they intercepted a “suspicious airborne target coming from Lebanon,” a drone carrying explosives that entered Israel and landed in the Marjayoun area in the northeast.
The Israeli military also stated that attacks were carried out on alleged Hezbollah infrastructure inside Lebanon, including weapon storage sites, and artillery shells were launched towards Chebaa and Rachaya Al Foukhar in southern Lebanon. Later on Monday, the Israeli military announced the killing of Hezbollah commander Ali Jamal Aldin Jawad in response to the attacks on Lebanon.
On Monday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant inspected a command center. In a statement from the Israeli government, Gallant said, “We must be prepared for all eventualities, including swiftly transitioning into an offensive posture.”
In another statement, the Israeli government mentioned that Gallant had a conversation with U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin, briefing him on Israel’s readiness to defend against potential threats from Iran and its proxies.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security cabinet meeting on Sunday to discuss preparedness for retaliation. A statement from Netanyahu’s office asserted Israel’s determination to confront Iran and its proxies on all fronts, near and far.
The Israeli military indicated that a U.S. Central Command general had arrived in Israel to meet with Israeli military leaders to prepare for potential attacks from Iran and its proxies, with Hezbollah being one of the key players.
Each “Washington Post” report, a defense official stated that two U.S. destroyers entered the Red Sea on Monday.
After departing from the Persian Gulf last week, the U.S. Navy destroyers Rubin and Cole moved westward from the Gulf of Oman. These two vessels are part of a fleet of 12 U.S. warships currently in the Middle East or the Mediterranean. This fleet includes the Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier, which appears to be heading towards Israel.
On Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani attributed the instability in the Middle East to Israel, stating that “Iran does not seek to escalate tensions in the region.” He mentioned in a press conference, “If Iran uses its right to retaliate (against Israel), it is for the purpose of establishing stability in the region.”
With increasing concerns, Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi made a rare visit to Tehran to convey King Abdullah II’s message about the “dangerous escalation” unfolding in the Middle East. Jordan, a close Western ally, had helped intercept weapons aimed at Israel from Iran in April.
Safadi met with Iran’s newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday. Reports indicate that the Iranian president mentioned during the meeting that the assassination of Haniyeh was a grave mistake that would not go unanswered.
Hamas and Iran blamed Israel for the recent assassinations of Hamas’ top political leader Haniyeh on Wednesday, and Hezbollah leader Shukrallah the day before. Israel has refrained from commenting on Haniyeh’s death.