In a dramatic escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict, Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for launching attacks against Israeli military targets in Tel Aviv. The group has also rejected Israeli calls for a ceasefire during the ongoing conflict in Lebanon.
According to Hezbollah, the group targeted the central Tel Aviv district of Kirya, a complex that houses the Israeli military’s central command as well as other government institutions. The group also claimed to have launched multiple drone attacks against an Israeli military base in the south-eastern part of Tel Aviv, near the General Staff headquarters.
Hezbollah further stated that it had targeted seven Israeli tanks in southern Lebanon with anti-tank missiles. Arab media reports indicate that sirens have sounded in central and southern Israel, warning of potential missile attacks.
In response, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed that they have successfully intercepted multiple missiles launched by Hezbollah against central Israel during the night. However, the group has rejected Israeli calls for a ceasefire, stating that negotiations for a ceasefire would be tantamount to surrender.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has spoken to citizens in Tehran, expressing solidarity and concern for the situation. Iranian officials have also confirmed that they are seeking a technical training program in semi-conductor technology as part of a cooperation agreement with Russia.
In a separate development, a 12-year-old Afghan refugee girl’s accused abductor and rapist has been identified. The United States and Israel are reportedly considering various options to escalate the conflict, including military action, if diplomatic efforts fail.
Germany has clarified that it is not seeking a direct agreement with Iran to ensure the safety of its ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has stated that the Strait is closed to enemy ships.
In a separate incident, Iranian authorities have identified the killer of a police officer who was murdered three years ago. The officer’s own daughter has been accused of poisoning him.
In another development, a group of students have been accused of physically assaulting a professor in a video that has gone viral. Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s top diplomat, has stated that the country is facing an undeclared war imposed by the United States and Israel.
In related news, the death toll in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has risen significantly, with Iranian authorities working to rescue those trapped under rubble. Despite the ongoing conflict, Iran has managed to maintain a significant level of oil exports, earning approximately $139 million per day.
A panel of experts is set to meet today to discuss proposals to increase the country’s coal-to-power capacity.
