Iran has promised to retaliate for the death of Hamas’s political leader, Ismail Haniyeh. Reports say that Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has approved the response, and the Iranian army might soon launch an attack on Israel.
Tensions in the Middle East have risen since Haniya’s death. On Saturday, US Central Command General Michael Kurilla arrived in Israel. While his visit was planned ahead of time, it is seen as a move to strengthen Israel’s defense.
American and Israeli officials have suggested that Iran might attack Israel as soon as Monday. Some believe that Tehran could target Tel Aviv on Monday, August 12. Intelligence sources say Iran plans to strike on Tisha B’Av, a significant day for Israel when Jews fast from August 12 to August 13.
Jewish tradition holds that many disasters occurred on Tisha B’Av, including the destruction of the main Jewish temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. Iran is believed to be planning an attack on Israel on this day to reopen these old wounds.
In response to this threat, the US has boosted its military presence in the region. The US Defense Department has sent an aircraft carrier and a squadron of fighter jets to the Middle East. Both the US and British governments have advised their citizens to leave Lebanon, fearing that the situation could get worse.
