Photo: AFP

Israel has issued a warning of a "devastating strike" against Iran in retaliation for recent missile attacks. Despite the threats, Iran has maintained a firm stance, asserting that its armed forces will deliver a severe response if Israel crosses a critical threshold.

In another development, three individuals, including the head of Hamas in Gaza, Ravi Mushtaha, were killed in an Israeli airstrike reported to have occurred three months ago.

Israeli military operations in Lebanon continue, with intense clashes reported between Israeli ground forces and the armed group Hezbollah. In response to the assassination of key leaders, including Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas's Ismail Haniyeh, Iran launched a large-scale missile attack against Israel on Tuesday night. Following this, Israel has pledged a strong counter-response, with speculation that it may target Iran’s oil fields and nuclear facilities. However, U.S. President Joe Biden has indicated that there will be no attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites.

On the same day as Iran’s missile attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, "Iran made a grave mistake tonight. They will pay a heavy price for this." Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, announced that an attack on Iran would occur soon, describing the events of Tuesday night as unprecedented.

During the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) conference held in Doha, Qatar, Iranian President Masoud Pejeshkian warned Israel that any military action or terrorist activities crossing their final limits would elicit a strong response from Iran’s armed forces.

Ongoing Attacks in Lebanon

Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon reportedly killed 15 Hezbollah fighters, while another attack in Beirut’s city center resulted in nine civilian deaths, including two healthcare workers. The Lebanese Health Ministry confirmed the casualties, noting that among the nine dead were seven Hezbollah workers and two medical staff.

Additionally, Israel has targeted Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters in Beirut and instructed residents of 25 villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate. According to Lebanon's interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati, around 1.2 million people have been displaced due to the Israeli bombardment.

In total, two Lebanese soldiers were killed during emergency rescue operations, bringing the total military casualties to three. The Lebanese military reported that in the past three days, 40 firefighting and ambulance workers have also lost their lives due to Israeli attacks.

Reports from Al Jazeera state that eight Israeli soldiers were killed in confrontations with Hezbollah on Tuesday, with several others injured. Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for detonating explosives targeting Israeli soldiers on multiple occasions.

Moreover, Hezbollah has claimed to have launched 15 rocket attacks against Israeli military positions in northern Israel, with Israel admitting to the launch of at least 25 rockets from Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Yemen's Houthi armed group has claimed a successful drone strike targeting Tel Aviv, although the Israeli military reported intercepting a suspicious drone, while another landed in an open area without causing casualties.