The military exercises of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have commenced in response to the anticipation of retaliatory actions against Israel following the assassination of a senior Hamas member.
These drills, which were initiated on Friday, are currently taking place in the western province of Kermanshah near the border with Iraq, with the purpose of heightening combat preparedness and awareness, as stated by an official from the armed forces speaking to Iran’s official news agency IRNA on Sunday.
Iran has alleged that Ismail Haniyeh, a prominent Hamas leader, was “eliminated” in Tehran on Wednesday, July 31. Consequently, the expectation of retaliation has been looming.
Israel has neither accepted nor refuted any responsibility for Haniyeh’s demise.
Amid concerns from Western nations about the potential for a regional conflict, appeals have been made to Iran for restraint.
Nevertheless, according to sources, the Israeli intelligence community believes that Iran has made a decision to launch a direct assault, expected to occur within days.
Barak Ravid, a journalist with US media outlet Axios, reported that his sources informed him of a shift in Israel’s assessment of Iran’s stance.
Ravid stated that one of his sources disclosed an internal deliberation within Iran between the Revolutionary Guards and President Masoud Pezeshkian regarding a prospective response to Haniyeh’s death.
Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Iran last month. Pic: Reuters
The Revolutionary Guards are advocating for a strong retaliation, whereas Mr. Pezeshkian believes it should be avoided, according to Mr. Ravid.
These reports emerge as Israel’s conflict with Gaza enters its tenth month.
The conflict was triggered by militant groups aligned with Hamas breaching Israel’s defenses on October 7, resulting in violence in farming communities and military bases near the border, claiming around 1,200 lives – predominantly civilians – and leading to the abduction of about 250 individuals.
The Gaza health ministry reports that the Palestinian death toll is approaching 40,000.
Recently, an Israeli airstrike on a school converted into a shelter left 80 individuals dead in Gaza.
Approximately 6,000 displaced persons were seeking refuge in Tabeen school when it was hit by three missiles, as per a spokesperson for the Civil Defence agency operating under the jurisdiction of the Hamas government.
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Israel strikes school-turned shelter in Gaza
The Israeli military has issued evacuation orders for Palestinians residing in southern Gaza early Sunday.
These directives pertain to areas in Khan Younis, including a section within an Israeli-designated humanitarian zone from which rockets were reportedly launched.
The majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million inhabitants have been displaced multiple times due to the conflict.
Many have crowded into inadequate tent settlements with limited public amenities or sought refuge in schools like the one targeted in the recent airstrike. Palestinians express feeling unsafe in virtually any part of the besieged territory.
Israel alleges that Hamas and other militants are utilizing civilians as shields and carrying out assaults from residential zones.
