Iran and Israel clashed again despite US President Donald Trump’s warning. The important thing is that when a deal was about to be made between Trump and Iran, a fierce war has started once again in the Middle East. After all, why did Iran and Israel clash over Lebanon after 100 days? On June 8, when the whole world was in the throes of sleep, Iran launched a major attack on Israel with its ballistic missiles and drones. Iran launched a powerful attack on Israel’s capital Tel Aviv, Haifa Port, West Bank and three major military bases with a total of 11 ballistic missiles like Khabar-Shikan.

The three Israeli military bases that were attacked included Ramat Davit base, Tel Nof and Navatim near Haifa. Israel immediately responded to Iran’s attacks and simultaneously attacked more than a dozen military targets. More than a dozen fighter jets of Israel Defense Force i.e. IDF carried out air strikes in different parts of Iran. These included the hideouts of the top IRGC commander in Karaj, on the outskirts of Iran’s capital Tehran. Additionally, 02 large petrochemical plants were involved in Khuzestan province along with missile and drone facilities in Isfahan and Tabriz.

This war was not limited to just Iran and Israel. Iran attacked the bases of Kurdish fighters in Iraq, who are considered America’s stooges. Whereas in Yemen, Iran’s proxy militia Houthi rebels opened a front against Israel. When Houthi rebels attacked Israel with missiles, they threatened to completely close Israel’s sea route in the Red Sea. Apart from this, news of attack on Sultan Military Base also came to light in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh.

Ceasefire happened after 40 days

In fact, after 40 days of war, on April 8, America and Iran had announced a ceasefire. Israel was also included in this ceasefire. But later during peace talks, Iran placed a condition before America that there should be no attack on Lebanon. Because Israeli attacks on Iran-backed terrorist organization Hezbollah were continuing in Lebanon. There was a tussle between America and Iran regarding Lebanon and Hezbollah. Last week, Trump made a phone call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asking him not to attack Lebanon. But in this phone call there was an altercation between Trump and Netanyahu. Whereas, the closeness of Trump and Netanyahu has not been hidden from the world. The historical relations between America and Israel are also well known.

Netanyahu did not listen to Trump and on Sunday Israel carried out a major airstrike in Lebanon’s capital Beirut. Israel carried out an air strike on the outskirts of Beirut, which is considered a stronghold of Iran-backed Hezbollah. Israel carried out the airstrike in Beirut at a time when Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had slammed Iran for including Lebanon in the deal with the US.

Joseph clearly said that Iran has used Lebanon as a bargaining chip in peace talks with America, which will not be accepted at any cost. Joseph also vented his anger on Iran’s proxy terrorist supporter Hezbollah and said in a clear tone that one has to be ready for talks.

Israel wreaked havoc on Hezbollah terrorists

Since the 40-day Iran war (28 February-8 April), Israel had wreaked havoc on Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have broken the backbone of Hezbollah in air strikes in southern Lebanon including the capital Beirut. Israel has announced that a buffer zone of about 35 kilometers will be created from its country’s border to southern Lebanon. In such a situation, the IDF army captured a large part here and started moving forward.

Israel’s rapid air strikes have caused tremendous collateral damage and a large number of innocent civilians, including Hezbollah terrorists (boys), are losing their lives. Homes, offices, hospitals, all have been razed to the ground due to Israeli attacks and Southern Lebanon is ready to become another Gaza.

Hezbollah, however, is not ready to accept defeat and continues to attack the IDF with suicide drones supplied by Iran. Israeli soldiers have lost their lives in these attacks. In such a situation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced to continue attacks until Hezbollah is completely eliminated. Israel has been repeatedly saying that the IDF attacks are not targeting Lebanon but Hezbollah. In fact, Hezbollah has more influence in Lebanon than the Joseph government and the Lebanese Army. The streets of the city are dominated by Hezbollah fighters rather than the Lebanese police. The Lebanese army is also hesitant in taking action against Hezbollah.

In such a situation, when Israel attacked Beirut on Sunday, Iran got angry and launched a missile attack on Israel. In retaliation, Israel also carried out an air strike. US President Trump once again had to jump between Iran and Israel. Trump appealed to Iran and Israel for a ceasefire and just a few hours later, Iran announced to stop attacks on Israel. But Israel has clearly said that the attacks are being carried out on Hezbollah, not Lebanon. In such a situation, unless a permanent agreement is reached between America, Israel and Iran, the sword of war will remain hanging in the Middle East.

Also read: ‘Water is filling the ship, life boat on fire’, US Navy attacks, rescues 24 Indians

Efforts to stop the ongoing conflict between Lebanon and Israel have suffered a major setback. After the death of at least four people in Israeli attacks in Lebanon, Hezbollah has completely rejected the new ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Lebanese government. Meanwhile, the ongoing fighting between the two sides has made efforts to establish peace in the region more difficult.

Hezbollah called the agreement insulting

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassim called the new agreement absurd, insulting and insulting in a written statement broadcast on television. He said the agreement calls for the withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters from southern Lebanon, which for them is tantamount to surrender, defeat and fulfillment of the enemy’s objectives. Naim Qasim clearly said that his priority is to end the Israeli aggression, implement a ceasefire and ensure the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon. He also reiterated that Hezbollah has not made any promises to stop the fighting. He said, “As long as our villages are not safe, as they continue to be bombed and destroyed and our people continue to be killed, northern Israel will not be safe either.”

Four people died in Israeli attacks

Hezbollah’s reaction came at a time when at least four people were killed in Israeli strikes, according to local officials. During the conflict, a soldier of the United Nations Peace Mission was also killed in the crossfire. On the other hand, an Israeli soldier has also died during the fighting in southern Lebanon.

Shortly after Naeem Qasim’s statement, sirens warning of drone attacks started sounding in many border areas of northern Israel. These included Shlomi Kasba, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several ministers were meeting with local officials. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu had left the scene shortly before the sirens sounded. Israeli media also confirmed this.

Trying to stop drone attacks

The Israeli army later said that the sirens were used in an attempt to stop the drones, which fell near soldiers deployed in southern Lebanon. However, there is no information about anyone being injured in this incident. Israeli Army Chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir admitted that due to the ongoing war, there is increasing pressure on the cities and towns of northern Israel. He said that Israel’s military actions in Iran and Lebanon have created a new security situation in the region. According to Jamir, due to these operations the capabilities of Iran and Hezbollah have been weakened to an unprecedented level.

Army reached village in southern Lebanon

According to state-run media, on Thursday afternoon the Lebanese army, in coordination with UN peacekeepers, reached the village of Dibbin in southern Lebanon. This step was taken when the Israeli army vacated the area which had witnessed fierce fighting in recent days.
This is the first time since the latest Israel-Hezbollah war that started about three months ago that the Israeli army has retreated from an area in southern Lebanon.

Global efforts being affected by conflict

Israel’s occupation of large parts of southern Lebanon and ongoing fighting are also hampering efforts to end the Iran war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is an important route for oil and gas transportation. Due to its impact, pressure on the global economy has also increased. Iran has demanded that any permanent ceasefire agreement include Lebanon.

Different signals from Netanyahu and Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces elections this year, says Israel will continue its campaign until Hezbollah completely ceases to be a threat. At the same time, US President Donald Trump, while downplaying the diplomatic deadlock and the failure of the ceasefire, said that in the Middle East, “ceasefire means that there will be less firing than before.”