Middle East Crisis Highlights: Antony Blinken speaks to G7 diplomats over rising regional tensions
![US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to G7's topmost diplomats after Joe Biden said he hopes Iran would step down. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to G7's topmost diplomats after Joe Biden said he hopes Iran would step down.](https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2024/08/04/550x309/US-Israel-0_1714185673855_1722791800107.jpg)
Middle East Crisis Highlights: Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State on Sunday spoke to the foreign ministers of G7 countries over video-call as tensions remain high in the Middle East days after the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and a key commander of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in Beirut. The incidents led to vows of retaliation from Iran-backed groups in the region. On Sunday, Hezbollah launched dozens of Katyusha rockets at Israel, the latest in a series of attacks - in response to Israel's attacks on Kfar Kela and Deir Siriane in Lebanon....Read More
Iran, on the other hand, said that it expects Hezbollah to “hit deeper” inside Israel and no longer be confined to military targets. According to Iran's local media, the retaliatory operations were expected to be “more diverse, more dispersed and impossible to intercept.”
In response to the escalating situation, the United States announced plans to deploy additional warships and fighter jets to the area as the Iran-aligned “Axis of Resistance” prepares to respond to the killing of Haniyeh.
Ismail Haniyeh was killed on July 31 after he had attended the swearing-in of the new Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, in Tehran. The 62-year-old, who lived in Qatar, was the head of the political bureau of Hamas, which has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007. On Saturday, Iran said that Haniyeh was killed in Tehran using a "short-range projectile" launched from outside of his accommodation.
Prior to Haniyeh's killing, Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in an Israeli air strike in Beirut on July 30.
The Iran's Revolutionary Guards have accused Israel of being behind the incidents, warning them of a “severe punishment at the appropriate place and manner”. It has also accused the United States of supporting Israel.
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to G7 foreign ministers to avoid escalation in Middle East
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: G7 foreign ministers meet by video conference to discuss Middle East
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: G7 foreign ministers meet by videoconference to discuss Middle East, over threat of escalation, said Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Italy asks its nationals to leave Lebanon immediately
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has asked tourists not to go to Lebanon and for those already there to immediately leave the country.
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Saudi urges citizens to immediately leave Lebanon
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Saudi Arabia called on its citizens to leave Lebanon immediately as tensions soar following high-profile killings in Tehran and Beirut.
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Houthis take down US drone over Saada province in Yemen, says reports
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Yemeni Houthis took down US MQ-9 drone over the country's northern province Saada, reported Reuters
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Israeli shares take a hit in global market amid regional unrest
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Israeli shares fell sharply amid continuous threats of attack from Iran and its proxies
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Israeli drone misses target in southern Lebanon, says Lebanon’s National News Agency
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Palestinian attacker killed two people and wounded two others in Central Israel
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates:Palestinian attacker killed two people and wounded two others by stabbing in city of Holon, near Tel Aviv before being shot by the police during the early hours of Sunday, Israeli authorities said.
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: France calls on citizens in Lebanon to leave 'as soon as possible'
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: France on Sunday called on its citizens in Lebanon to leave the country "as soon as possible" amid fears of all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah and a broader regional conflict.
"In a highly volatile security context, we once again call the attention of French nationals, particularly those passing through, to the fact that direct commercial flights and ones with stopovers to France are still available, and we invite them to make their arrangements now to leave Lebanon as soon as possible," the foreign ministry said in its travel advice notice for Lebanon.
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Jordan's foreign minister to hold talks in Iran amid increased tensions
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi will visit Iran on Sunday for talks with his Iranian counterpart amid heightened regional tensions after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, reported Reuters.
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: US Embassy in Lebanon asks its nationals to ‘book any ticket available’ and leave country
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: The US issued an advisory for its citizens in Lebanon, urging them to “book any ticket available” and leave the country.
“The US Embassy notes several airlines have suspended or cancelled flights, and many flights have sold out; however, commercial transportation options to leave Lebanon remain available. Please see available flight options at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport. We encourage those who wish to depart Lebanon to book any ticket available to them, even if that flight does not depart immediately or does not follow their first-choice route,” the US Embassy in Lebanon wrote in its advisory.
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: India issues advisory to its nationals in Israel amid rising tensions
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: India has asked its nationals in Israel to remain vigilant and adhere to the safety protocols amid heightened tensions. An advisory issued by the Indian Mission in Israel directed Indians to stay close to safety shelters, assuring them that the embassy is closely monitoring the situation.
On Thursday, the Indian embassy in Lebanon had “strongly urged” Indians to to leave the country. Air India, too, had announced on Friday a temporary suspension of flight operations to Tel Aviv till August 8.
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: US to deploy additional fighter jets, Navy warships to Middle East
The United States has said that it would deploy additional fighter jets and Navy warships to the Middle East, following threats from Iran and its allies Hamas and Hezbollah, reported Reuters. The US has also asked its citizens in Lebanon to leave on 'any ticket available', according to AFP.
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: US, Israel indicates Iranian attack on Israel any time soon
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: US and Israeli officials have indicated that an Iranian attack on Israel could occur as soon as Monday.
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Who was Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas chief assassinated in Iran?
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Ismail Haniyeh was a prominent Palestinian political figure who has played a key role in the complex landscape of Middle East politics. He was appointed to head the Hamas office in 1997 after Israel released Ahmed Yassin, the founder of Hamas. In December 2005, Haniyeh was elected to head the Hamas list, which won the Legislative Council elections the following month. Haniyeh became the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority government following Hamas's victory in the 2006 legislative election. However, he was dismissed from his position by President Mahmoud Abbas in 2007, deepening the political conflict between Fatah and Hamas.
In 2016, Haniyeh succeeded Khaled Mashaal's head leadership of Hamas in elections.
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Iran reveals how Hamas leader was killed by Israel
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) have said that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed by Israel using a short-range projectile with a warhead and plans to take revenge "at the appropriate time.
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: US General visits Middle East amid rising tensions
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: The US Central Command’s General Michael Kurilla arrived in the Middle East on Saturday as Israel prepares itself for a possible attack by Iran, Axios reported.
While Kurilla’s trip was planned before the recent escalation in tensions, he is expected to use the trip to attempt to mobilize the same international and regional coalition that defended Israel on April 13, reported Bloomberg.
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Biden hopes Iran would stand down amid rising tensions
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: US President Joe Biden on Saturday expressed hope Iran would stand down despite its threat to avenge the assassination of Hamas’ leader in Tehran.
Asked by reporters whether Iran would stand down, Biden said, "I hope so. I don't know."
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: US takes additional measures to support Israel's Defence amid tensions
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Amid escalating tension between Israel and Hezbollah, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin held talks with Israel Defence Minister Yoav Gallant about the threats posed by Iran and other Iranian-backed terrorist groups.
Lloyd Austin stated that the United States is taking additional measures to support the defence of Israel, adding that further conflict is not necessary and that all parties would benefit from a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Israel Iron Dome fires to intercept Hezbollah attack - VIDEO
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: The Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fired to intercept an attack from Lebanon over the Galilee region - VIDEO.
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Thousands gather in Turkey following death of Hamas leader
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Istanbul on Saturday evening to denounce the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Iran earlier this week.
"Israel has murdered an important hero in a way that suits it: treacherously," said Bilal Erdogan, the son of the Turkish head of state, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Hezbollah's statement on it firing rockets on Israel
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Hezbollah issued a statement over it firing rockets on Israel.
“In support of our steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in support of their valiant and honourable resistance, and in response to the Israeli enemy's attacks on the steadfast southern villages and safe homes, especially the attacks that targeted the villages of Kafr Kila and Deir Siryan and injured civilians, the Islamic Resistance included the new settlement of Beit Hillel in its fire schedule and bombarded it for the first time with dozens of Katyusha rockets,” it said in the statement.
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Iran expects Hezbollah to ‘hit deeper’ inside Israel
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Iran said that it expects Lebanon's Tehran-backed Hezbollah group to “hit deeper” inside Israel and no longer be confined to military targets after Israel killed the Hezbollah military commander.
"We expect... Hezbollah to choose more targets and (strike) deeper in its response…Secondly, that it will not limit its response to military targets," it said, as quoted by the official IRNA news agency.
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Hezbollah launches 'dozens' of rockets at Israel
Middle East Crisis LIVE updates: Hezbollah said it had launched dozens of Katyusha rockets at Israel on Sunday, the latest in a series of attacks.
The Iran-backed group said its latest attack, on Beit Hillel in northern Israel, was in response to Israel's attacks on Kfar Kela and Deir Siriane in Lebanon.