Middle East crisis: PM Netanyahu says prepared for any scenario — both offensively & defensively

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Aug 4, said that Israel is in a "multifront war against Iran’s axis of evil" and the country is bracing for simultaneous attacks from Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and Iran.

“We are prepared for any scenario — both offensively and defensively,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

Pertinently, following the deaths of top Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, the crisis have escalated in the Middle East. An Israeli strike recently in southern Lebanon killed top commander Fuad Shukr. Israel also confirmed that Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas' military wing, was killed in a July airstrike in Gaza.

Earlier, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, an ally of Hezbollah was killed in a strike in Tehran. Iran and Hamas blame Israel, which has not denied its role.

In April, Iran fired over 300 rockets at Israel, most of which were intercepted by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and US-led coalition forces after it killed two Iranian generals in Syria.

The US is increasing its military presence in the Middle East to de-escalate tensions, deploying a fighter jet squadron and keeping an aircraft carrier nearby to assist Israel.

Meanwhile, a stabbing attack near Tel Aviv on Aug 4 killed a woman in her 70s and an 80-year-old man, and wounded two others. Later police neutralized the attacker, a Palestinian militant.

Notable developments in the recent past

• In Gaza, at least 25 people were killed and 19 injured in an Israeli strike on two schools on Aug 4. Israel claimed the targets were Hamas command centers.
• Numerous foreign airlines, including Delta, United, Lufthansa, and Air India, have suspended flights to and from Israel. El Al, Israel’s national carrier, is trying to add more flights to bring Israelis home, with boats also considered for ferrying citizens.
• Jordan’s foreign minister met Iran’s acting foreign minister in Tehran Aug 4, in a rare visit to prevent a wider war. Jordan, a close Western ally, has helped intercept missiles and drones fired by Iran toward Israel.
• Yemen's Houthi rebels on Aug 4, claimed a strike on a cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, the first since Israel struck the Hodeida port last month, targeting the ship Groton with ballistic missiles.
• A senior Biden administration official urged Israel to renew Gaza cease-fire negotiations, citing increased risks of regional conflict.
• An Israeli delegation led by the intelligence chief visited Egypt on Saturday for Gaza war talks but returned with no breakthrough.
• Oil prices rose due to Middle East tensions and the potential for an Iranian strike on Israel. Brent crude exceeded $77 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate traded near $74.