Netanyahu convened his war cabinet for the second time in less than 24 hours to discuss how to respond to Iran's missile and drone attack over the weekend. The Chief of Staff of the Israeli military, Herzi Halevi, affirmed that Israel would retaliate but didn't disclose specific plans. He made this statement at the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel, which sustained some damage during the attack.
The attack, although causing limited damage and no fatalities, has heightened fears of a potential full-scale conflict between the two historic adversaries. This incident comes amidst ongoing tensions rooted in the Gaza war, with clashes between Israel and Iran-aligned groups spreading to various regions, including Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq.
US President Joe Biden assured Netanyahu that the United States, while assisting Israel in countering the Iranian attack, would not directly participate in any Israeli retaliation. Meanwhile, other world leaders, including the European Union's foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, have all called for restraint to prevent further escalation.
The situation remains delicate, with global powers urging de-escalation and emphasizing the need to avoid a wider conflict.
The recent uptick in tensions stems from Iran's retaliation for an alleged Israeli airstrike on its embassy compound in Damascus on April 1. Despite the absence of casualties and limited destruction, the exchange of hostilities has stoked concerns of an all-out war, especially given the fragile state of affairs in the region.
Amidst these developments, there have been calls for restraint from various quarters. The European Union's foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, underscored the urgency of stepping back from the brink of conflict. Similar sentiments were echoed by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and British Foreign Secretary David Cameron. Additionally, both Washington and the United Nations Secretary-General have emphasized the importance of exercising caution to prevent further escalation.
While the situation remains tense, efforts are underway to prevent a full-blown confrontation. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether diplomacy can prevail over the specter of war in the Middle East.
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