Explosions between Israel and the Gulf countries, new missile launches from Iran, Hezbollah opens the Lebanese front and an alleged drone hits the RAF base in Akrotiri. The IDF responds with raids on Beirut, while Washington warns: the conflict could last weeks.
The regional conflict takes a new, dramatic leap in quality. At dawn a series of explosions were heard at Jerusalem And Tel Avivbut also ad Abu Dhabi, Doha And Dubai, clear sign of a geographical extension of the crisis which now goes beyond the traditional boundaries of the conflict. The Iranian counteroffensive against the Gulf countries deemed hostile to Tehran enters a more aggressive phase, while Israel reports further missile launches from Iranian territory Israeli Defense Forces have announced that they have identified new carriers arriving fromIran. In a statement it is stated that «defense systems are activated to intercept the threat“, accompanying the warning with an appeal to the population to “act responsibly and scrupulously follow the safety instructions”. The message is clear: the front remains open and the risk of further attacks is real. Last night the six member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council – United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait – met via video conference to coordinate a common response. At the end of the summit, the foreign ministers denounced «the enormous damage caused by the perfidious Iranian attacks» and discussed the measures necessary to restore balance in the region. In a joint statement we read that the Gulf States «will take all necessary measures to defend their security and stability, protecting territories, citizens and residents, including the possibility of responding to aggression». “The immediate cessation of the attacks” was also called for, with the warning that the Gulf security «it is not just a regional issue, but a fundamental pillar of global economic stability». On the Lebanese front, the president Joseph Aoun took a stand against rocket fire by Hezbollah towards Israel, underlining how such actions undermine the efforts of Beirut to stay out of the conflict. «The launch of missiles from Lebanese territory this morning contradicts all the efforts made by the state to hold the Lebanon away from the dangerous military clashes underway”, he declared, condemning “the insistence on using the Lebanon as a platform for wars that do not concern him.”
In the same hours, the crisis also involved Cyprus. The British Army is responding to «an alleged drone attack» occurred during the night against the base of the Royal Air Force at Akrotiri. The announcement came directly from Ministry of Defence of London, after the local press had reported the fall of an unmanned aircraft, initially indicated as being of Iranian origin, inside the military site. «Our armed forces are responding to a suspected drone attack on the Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri», we read in the official note. There were no victims. It had previously been reported that a “small drone” had crashed in the airport area, causing limited damage and prompting the military to “remain in position and await further instructions” for fear of a new impact. The timing of the episode, close to the launches from Lebanon towards Israel, fuels the suspicion of a coordinated action attributable to Hezbollah.
The Israeli response was not long in coming. Since the early hours of the morning, the IDF initiated attacks against targets of Hezbollah throughout the Lebanese territory. “In response to the firing of projectiles towards the State of Israel, we are hitting the organization’s infrastructure,” the military spokesperson unit said. In a particularly clear passage Hezbollah is accused of «operating on behalf of the Iranian regime, opening fire against Israel and its civilians», ensuring that the army «will not allow the organization to pose a threat to the State of Israel and the residents of the north». According to regional sources, air raids also affected the Beirut areain particular the suburb of Dahieh, a stronghold of the Shiite movement. Saudi broadcaster Al-Hadath reported the elimination of Mohammed Raadhead of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, listed as deputy leader of the organization. The IDF also issued an evacuation order for 53 villages in southern Lebanon. In a video released on social media, the army’s Arabic-language spokeswoman warned: «Hezbollah’s activity forces us to act. We don’t want to hurt you. For your safety, evacuate immediately and move away at least a thousand meters.” A warning accompanied by the warning that «anyone who is near Hezbollah operatives, facilities or weapons puts their lives at risk».
The Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, presided over an operational assessment with military leaders, authorizing further offensive and defensive plans. «Hezbollah has started a campaign against Israel and is fully responsible for any escalation”, he said, assuring that “any enemy who threatens our security will pay a high price”. During the night, three rockets were launched towards Israel: one intercepted and two fell in open areas. For the first time the laser system was used «Or Eitan» to neutralize an incoming threat. No injuries were reported. Meanwhile, from the south of Lebanon it is noted a “massive exodus” towards Beirut and the north of the country, with columns of cars full of fleeing families. On the international level, the US president Donald Trump he told the New York Times that the war against Iran could last “four or five weeks” if necessary. «It will not be difficult to maintain the intensity of operations», he stated, recalling that United States And Israel have «huge quantities of ammunition stored in several countries». The president, however, admitted that the conflict will lead to losses: «Tkings are too many as far as I’m concernedhe said, adding that, according to projections, “the number could be a little higher. We expect victims.” A statement that gives a glimpse of the awareness of a long and potentially bloody phase, in a scenario now extended byIran to the Levante and others Persian Gulf While Tehran it is again under Israeli bombardment.
