Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated during a Cabinet meeting on Sunday that Israel is already engaged in a “multi-front war” with Iran and its proxies. This comes as the United States and its allies prepare to defend Israel against anticipated retaliations and aim to prevent a larger regional conflict.
Tensions have escalated after nearly 10 months of conflict in Gaza and the recent killing of a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon and Hamas’ top political leader in Iran. Iran and its allies have blamed Israel and vowed to retaliate. Hamas has begun discussions to select a new leader.
Netanyahu emphasized Israel's readiness for any situation. Jordan's Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, made a rare visit to Iran to support diplomatic efforts, stating, “We want the escalation to end.” Meanwhile, the Pentagon has deployed significant military assets to the region. White House Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer told ABC, “We are doing everything possible to make sure that this situation does not boil over.”
In Israel, some residents are preparing bomb shelters, recalling the unprecedented direct military assault by Iran in April, following a suspected Israeli attack that killed two Iranian generals. Israel reported that almost all drones and ballistic and cruise missiles were intercepted. A stabbing attack near Tel Aviv on Sunday killed an elderly woman and man, and wounded two others. Israeli police identified the assailant as a Palestinian militant, who was subsequently “neutralized.”
In Gaza, the Health Ministry reported that at least 25 people were killed and 19 others injured when Israel struck two schools in Gaza City. AP video footage showed at least one child among the casualties. The Israeli military, which often accuses Palestinian militants of hiding in civilian areas, stated it targeted Hamas command centers.
A local resident, Yusuf Al-Mashharawi, noted the lack of equipment for rescuers, who were “digging with their hands.”
Earlier Israeli strikes resulted in at least 18 deaths, including a strike on a tent camp in the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital courtyard, killing four people, including a woman. The Israeli military claimed the target was a Palestinian militant, and the strike led to secondary explosions, indicating the presence of weapons.
The hospital in Deir al-Balah is the main medical facility still operating in central Gaza, as many others have ceased functioning. A separate strike on a home near Deir al-Balah resulted in the deaths of a girl and her parents, according to hospital reports.
In northern Gaza, another airstrike flattened a house, killing at least eight people, including three children, their parents, and grandmother. Three others were killed in a vehicle strike in Gaza City, according to Civil Defense first responders.
Palestinian militants in Gaza launched at least five projectiles at Israeli border communities, though no casualties or damage were reported. The Israeli military later instructed residents in parts of the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis to evacuate. The Health Ministry reported that an Israeli strike on a school-turned-shelter in Gaza City on Saturday killed at least 16 people. Israel’s military stated it had targeted a Hamas command center.
The conflict in Gaza began after Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, which killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and resulted in about 250 hostages being taken.
In response, Israel launched a large-scale offensive, killing at least 39,580 Palestinians according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. The heavy airstrikes and ground operations have caused significant destruction and displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, many repeatedly.
Along the Lebanon border, Hezbollah and Israel have continued exchanging fire since the conflict started, with increasing intensity in recent months. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported an Israeli strike on a house in Beit Lef, and the Lebanese Health Ministry said two people were critically injured.
Hezbollah stated its actions are intended to alleviate pressure on Hamas, its ally backed by Iran. A growing number of countries, including the U.S., are advising their citizens to leave Lebanon following the killing of a senior commander last week.