The killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, hours after the Israeli assassination of Hezbollah's military chief Fuad Shukr in Beirut, has intensified calls for revenge. Hezbollah has been exchanging near-daily cross-border fire with Israeli forces since October, claiming support for Hamas. The group announced it had fired dozens of Katyusha rockets at the northern Israeli settlement of Beit Hillel, while Iran expects Hezbollah to hit deeper inside Israel, beyond military targets.

The US, UK, Australia, and France have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon, where the Iran-backed Hezbollah is based, and airlines have canceled flights. Canada warned its citizens to avoid all travel to Israel due to the regional armed conflict. Indian nationals in Israel have been advised to stay vigilant and adhere to safety protocols following escalating tensions, while the Indian Embassy in Beirut strongly advised against travel to Lebanon and urged citizens to leave.

The Pentagon is bolstering its military presence in the Middle East to protect US personnel and defend Israel. Haniyeh's killing, amid his role as Hamas's lead negotiator in efforts to end the war, has cast doubts on the viability of truce and prisoner exchange efforts by Qatari, Egyptian, and US mediators. Hamas has initiated a "broad consultation process" to choose a new leader three days after Haniyeh's assassination.

US President Joe Biden expressed hope that Iran would stand down despite its threat to avenge the assassinations, acknowledging the situation's escalating nature. Israel, meanwhile, warned its adversaries of severe repercussions for any aggression, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that Israel is highly prepared for both defensive and offensive scenarios.

The war in Gaza has caused widespread destruction and displaced nearly the entire population, with the UN reporting deteriorating public health conditions.

The killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, hours after the Israeli assassination of Hezbollah's military chief Fuad Shukr in Beirut, has intensified calls for revenge. Hezbollah has been exchanging near-daily cross-border fire with Israeli forces since October, claiming support for Hamas. The group announced it had fired dozens of Katyusha rockets at the northern Israeli settlement of Beit Hillel, while Iran expects Hezbollah to hit deeper inside Israel, beyond military targets.

The US, UK, Australia, and France have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon, where the Iran-backed Hezbollah is based, and airlines have canceled flights. Canada warned its citizens to avoid all travel to Israel due to the regional armed conflict. Indian nationals in Israel have been advised to stay vigilant and adhere to safety protocols following escalating tensions, while the Indian Embassy in Beirut strongly advised against travel to Lebanon and urged citizens to leave.

The Pentagon is bolstering its military presence in the Middle East to protect US personnel and defend Israel. Haniyeh's killing, amid his role as Hamas's lead negotiator in efforts to end the war, has cast doubts on the viability of truce and prisoner exchange efforts by Qatari, Egyptian, and US mediators. Hamas has initiated a "broad consultation process" to choose a new leader three days after Haniyeh's assassination.

US President Joe Biden expressed hope that Iran would stand down despite its threat to avenge the assassinations, acknowledging the situation's escalating nature. Israel, meanwhile, warned its adversaries of severe repercussions for any aggression, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that Israel is highly prepared for both defensive and offensive scenarios.

The war in Gaza has caused widespread destruction and displaced nearly the entire population, with the UN reporting deteriorating public health conditions.