Middle East: Israel ready to respond to Iranian attack.

The situation in the Middle East is escalating significantly, with Israel prepares to respond to a missile attack launched by Iran. According to Israeli media, the army is planning an imminent response that will be “strong and significant.” The operation, which could also involve Iranian nuclear facilities, is not ruled out by the Israeli government, as confirmed by sources close to the US administration. Donald Trump, the former US president, has openly stated that Israel should consider hitting such facilities.

Meanwhile, on the Lebanese front, Israel is trying to end the conflict with Hezbollah, the Shiite militant group operating in Lebanon, within two or three weeks. Israeli forces have already conducted raids on Lebanese territory, killing Sayyed Attaullah Ali, a prominent leader of the Al Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas. The killing occurred during a bombing that hit Ali's home in the Dawi refugee camp in Tripoli, northern Lebanon. Three members of his family also lost their lives. Hamas confirmed the incident through its official channels, stressing the importance of the missing leader.

On the domestic front, Israel is also expanding ground operations in the Gaza Strip, aiming to escalate fighting with Hamas, coinciding with the October 7 anniversary. The army has issued evacuation orders for the areas of Nuseirat and Bureij, located in central Gaza, warning of a possible expansion of the ongoing offensives. These areas are located immediately south of the Netzarim corridor, where Israeli forces have established a stable presence.

At the diplomatic level, talks are underway in Tel Aviv, despite the Shabbat holiday, between Israeli representatives and officials from allied countries. These meetings aim to coordinate possible action against Tehran. Ynet, a major Israeli newspaper, reported that the Israeli army does not intend ignore the Iranian attack, which caused damage to some Israeli air bases, although no critical infrastructure or aircraft were hit.

In this context, the head of the US Central Military Command, General Michael Kurilla, is arriving in Israel for further consultations with local authorities. American sources confirm that an Israeli attack on Iran could now be imminent, as tensions in the area continue to rise.

From a humanitarian point of view, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the United States will provide nearly $157 million in new aid to support conflict-affected populations in Lebanon and the surrounding region.. These funds will be used to provide food, shelter, blankets, hygiene kits, and health care to displaced populations inside Lebanon, refugees within the country, and the communities hosting them. U.S. assistance will also reach refugees who have fled to neighboring Syria, where the situation remains complex due to the ongoing civil war.

Blinken recalled that over the past year the United States has already allocated nearly $386 million to support vulnerable populations in Lebanon and Syria, who continue to suffer as the conflict escalates. The humanitarian crisis, therefore, extends far beyond the borders of the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, affecting millions of people across the region.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Damascus, commented on the Iranian missile attack on Israel, calling it a “lesson” for the Jewish state. Assad reiterated that the Iranian action represents a strong response to the provocations of Israel, which has intensified its military operations in the region.

In this complex scenario, The conflict between Israel and Hamas approaches its 365th day, with increasing intensity involving multiple fronts. Israel continues to fight on multiple fronts: with Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Iran as the primary nuclear threat. The situation remains extremely tense, with significant developments possible in the coming days or weeks.