Israel is preparing for an Iranian attack on five fronts “at any time” in revenge for the assassination of a Hamas leader on its territory.
Tehran is in shock after it emerged that the terror chief was killed by a bomb smuggled into the regime’s official guesthouse in the capital months ago.
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has ordered the Islamic Republic’s Supreme National Security Council to launch a direct attack on Israel.
Yesterday, the heads of Iranian terrorist groups in Yemen, Lebanon, Gaza, Iraq and Syria were summoned to Tehran to coordinate a joint response.
An Israeli official said last night: “We are preparing for an attack on five fronts at any time.”
Hamas’ top political leader was killed in a shocking attack in Iran on Tuesday
Hours from death: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei meets with Ismail Haniyeh (L) ahead of Israel’s deadly strike against the Hamas leader in Tehran, Iran, July 30, 2024
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered the Islamic Republic’s Supreme National Security Council to launch a direct attack on Israel.
Major General Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, warned yesterday that the “resistance axis’ response” is “under review.”
He said: “This will be carried out without a doubt. We will take various measures and the Zionists will undoubtedly regret their actions.”
There are fears the response could eclipse Iran’s ferocious attack in April, when hundreds of ballistic missiles, drones and cruise missiles came terrifyingly close to overwhelming Israel’s defenses.
In that assault, RAF fighter jets were in Cyprus defending Israeli skies, but defence sources said last night that British bases were not in a “higher state of readiness” and no additional aircraft had been deployed.
Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in his sleep at 2 a.m. on Wednesday after visiting Tehran for the presidential inauguration.
Iranians gather for the funeral ceremony of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard, who were killed in an assassination blamed on Israel, on Wednesday, in Enqelab-e-Eslami.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political bureau of the Doha-based Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, speaks to reporters after a meeting with the Iranian foreign minister in Tehran on March 26, 2024.
Top Palestinian Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh attends the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s new president Masoud Pezeshkian at parliament in Tehran
The Israel Defense Forces seized the opportunity to target Haniyeh, carrying out a daring missile attack on his residence in Tehran just hours after the incident, killing the Hamas leader and a security guard.
He was staying in a regime guesthouse and was protected by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard in part of the Neshat complex in the north of the city.
Two months earlier, senior Middle Eastern officials told the New York Times, a bomb had been smuggled into the building. The bomb was detonated remotely once it was confirmed that the man was in his room. The massive explosion also killed his bodyguard.
Although Israel has not claimed responsibility, this is the fourth high-profile Hamas leader to be killed since October 7 and is said to be ticking off a “kill list”.
Just 12 hours before Haniyeh’s death, Israel killed Fuad Shukr, the military leader of Hezbollah, another Iranian proxy in Lebanon.
Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s secretary general, last night vowed revenge, saying Israel had “crossed a red line.”
Haniyeh’s killing in Tehran came hours after Israel also targeted a senior Hezbollah official in Beirut.
A man watches the news on a television after Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli airstrike on his residence in the Iranian capital Tehran, Iran, July 31, 2024.
He said: “There is no argument on this point. The only thing that stands between us and you are the days, the nights and the battlefield.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was prepared for any “aggression.” The statement came as crowds waving Palestinian flags filled the streets of Tehran yesterday for Haniyeh’s funeral.
Meanwhile, 70,000 Israelis rushed to Tel Aviv airport to try to leave as tensions in the country rise.
Israel’s National Security Council is warning travelers to exercise extra caution abroad over fears that Jewish institutions could be targeted by Iran-allied militants.
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