Tensions ignite: Israeli airstrikes, Shiite group's drone attacks, and push against Iran Storm clouds over Middle East

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reported the elimination of the leader of the radical Palestinian group Islamic Jihad in the West Bank city of Tulkarm.

The army press service announced this via its Telegram channel, stating, “During joint anti-terrorist actions of the IDF and Israel's General Security Service (Shabak), an Israeli Air Force aircraft struck in the area of Tulkarm and eliminated Muhammad Abdullah, the head of the Islamic Jihad terrorist network.”

The airstrike specifically targeted the Nur Shams refugee camp near Tulkarm.

According to the IDF, Abdullah was the successor to Muhammad Jabber (Abu Shujaa), who previously headed the organization in Tulkarm, Caliber.Az reports.

The IDF reported that Abdullah was responsible for the organization’s activities in the area over recent months and was involved in numerous terrorist attacks. On October 8, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the IDF had already eliminated two successors of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Drone launched towards Eilat by a Shiite group

In a separate development, Shiite formations, part of the "Islamic Resistance of Iraq," launched an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) towards the Israeli city of Eilat. 

The group claimed that the drone was launched at a “vital target.” However, no further details about the incident have been disclosed, and there has been no comment from Israel regarding the UAV launch.

Kataib Hezbollah threatens US military bases

The Shiite group Kataib Hezbollah has announced its intention to strike US military bases in the event of Israeli aggression against Iraq or the use of Iraqi airspace and territory to attack Iran. Al Mayadeen reported on this statement from Abu Ali al-Askari, the head of the group's security bureau. He said, “The retaliatory strike will extend to US facilities in Iraq and the surrounding region.” Al-Askari added that Kataib Hezbollah has no plans to launch a major war that would affect the global energy sector.

US military preparedness heightened in the Middle East

In August, it was reported that the US was preparing for potential strikes against its forces in the Middle East amid heightened tensions following the elimination of Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. The Pentagon has deployed more than a dozen warships in the region, including the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, which is equipped with around 40 F/A-18 Super Hornet and F-35 attack aircraft and is currently near the Persian Gulf.

Increased scrutiny on shipments to Beirut Airport amid Israeli threats

The Lebanese military will intensify scrutiny over shipments arriving at Beirut International Airport, as Israel has previously threatened to strike weapons being delivered to the country for the Hezbollah movement. Al-Arabiya reported this development, citing an army source who stated that security forces at the airport, with military assistance and other agencies, will inspect shipments at the final stage of delivery to ensure compliance.

In September, Israeli Defence Forces spokesman Avichay Adraee announced that the Israeli military would not tolerate the delivery of military aid to Hezbollah and would not allow flights carrying weapons to land at Beirut airport. The Lebanese military is also responsible for supervising arriving and departing flights at Beirut Airport, the only civilian airport in Lebanon.

On October 10, Lebanese television reported that authorities have deployed internal security forces in Beirut to maintain law and order and to be ready to act in emergencies, especially in areas where displaced people are located.

Israeli Economy Minister advocates for strike on Iran

Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat has called for a strike on Iran, including an attack on its nuclear capabilities. “We must attack Iran,” Barkat told a French TV channel, adding that this action includes a strike on Tehran's nuclear capabilities. 

When asked whether a strike on Iran would trigger a regional war, Barkat emphasized, “Israel's fate was at stake.” He asserted, “Iran is the head of the snake” and is using its proxies — Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis in Yemen —  to “strangle Israel.” Barkat claimed that Iran's goal is “to build a nuclear bomb to wipe out Israel.”

He also discussed Israel’s desire to push Hezbollah forces away from its border and facilitate the return of displaced Israelis to their homes. Barkat explained that while Israel would like a change of political regime in Lebanon, “this is not the goal of the war.” Furthermore, referring to the ongoing operation in the Gaza Strip, he accused the Hamas group of placing its facilities among civilian infrastructure to avoid Israeli strikes.

Barkat concluded by stating that Israel does not seek to occupy the enclave; rather, they want to see a prosperous “Dubai” that recognises Israel as a legitimate state and coexists with it. “We want to see a Dubai next to us, with a successful government. This model is better than the ‘two states for two peoples’ solution,” he added.

By Tamilla Hasanova