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Iran has rejected calls to refrain from retaliatory attacks against Israel over the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, as the United States and its allies seek to avert a wider conflict in the Middle East. The U.S. has dispatched a guided missile submarine to the Middle East and sought to expedite the arrival of an aircraft carrier strike group as part of Washington’s commitment to help defend Israel from possible retaliation. Both Iran and Hamas have blamed Israel for the killing. Israel Defense Forces spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said on Monday night that Israel was "following Hezbollah and Iran and ready." Meanwhile, a growing number of countries have asked airlines to avoid airspace in the region, while some have also urged their citizens to leave parts of the Middle East.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Nasser Kanaani, Israel, Haniyeh, Kanaani, Italy —, John Kirby, Masoud Pezeshkian, Fuad Shukr, Daniel Hagari Organizations: Security, Israel Defense Forces Locations: Iran, Israel, United States, Islamic Republic, Tehran, U.S, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, The U.S, Lebanese, Beirut, Gaza

Nearly two weeks have passed and no large-scale response has materialized, leaving Israel and the wider Middle East on edge. But Mr. Haniyeh’s killing was seen as the greater blow to Tehran because it took place on Iranian soil. “Israel has checkmated Iran in this situation because Iran is left with no good options,” said Mr. Vaez. What could an Iranian response look like? U.S. and Israeli diplomats and security officials had some advanced knowledge of its scope and intensity of Iran’s attack in April, which facilitated defensive preparations.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Masoud, Israel, Fuad Shukr, Haniyeh’s, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, analystsexperts, Nasser Kanaan, Sanam Vakil, Pezeshkian, Vakil, Ms, Ali Vaez, Vaez, “ Israel, ”, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, Keir Starmer, Nasser Kanani, Jordan, Mr, Haniyeh, Lloyd J, Austin III, Biden Organizations: Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Chatham House, Crisis, Diplomats, of Islamic Cooperation, United, Hamas Locations: Iran, Tehran, Israel, Masoud Pezeshkian, Beirut, Lebanon, Golan, East, London, Yemen, Western, Iranian, United States, Gaza, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia

The U.S. is sending a guided missile submarine to the Middle East and speeding the arrival of an aircraft carrier strike group, as Israel braces for retaliatory attacks from Iran and its proxies after the assassination of senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah. He further ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, which is equipped with F-35C fighter jets, to accelerate its ongoing transit to the area. The guided-missile submarine USS Georgia at sea in 2020. Both Iran and Hamas blamed Israel for the killing, and while Israel has remained quiet on the matter it is widely believed to have carried out the assassination. Iranians hold portraits of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh during his funeral procession, in Tehran, on August 1, 2024.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Abraham Lincoln, Austin, Washington's, Yoav Gallant, Gallant, Ismail Haniyeh, Masoud Pezeshkian, Israel, Iran’s, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Yahya Sinwar, Fuad Shukr Organizations: Pentagon, Sunday, USS, Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike, U.S . Navy, country's Revolutionary Guard, AFP, Getty, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, NBC Locations: Israel, Iran, USS Georgia, Georgia, Tehran, Lebanese, Beirut, U.S, Gaza, Gaza City

☆ Oil holds on to last week's gains buoyed by Mideast tensions, economic data
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Oil prices were little changed in early Asian trading on Monday, holding on to most of last week's more than 3% gains, supported by geopolitical tensions and better economic data. Oil prices were little changed in early Asian trading on Monday, holding on to most of last week's more than 3% gains, supported by geopolitical tensions and better economic data. "Traders remain mindful of simmering tensions in the Middle East," ANZ analysts said in a note. Brent ended last week up more than 3.5% on the week, while WTI gained more than 4%, on supportive economic data and increased hopes of a U.S. interest rate cut. China's consumer prices rose faster than expected in July, and U.S. weekly jobless claims fell more than expected last week.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Fuad Shukr, Israel, Brent, WTI Organizations: Brent, U.S, West Texas, ANZ, Gaza Civil Emergency Service, Federal Reserve Locations: Iran, Gaza, U.S

☆ Why Iran Has Waited to Retaliate Against Israel for Hamas Leader’s Killing
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Matthew Mpoke Bigg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Iran vowed revenge at the end of last month after a top Hamas leader was killed in Tehran, leading many in Israel to fear an imminent attack. Nearly two weeks have passed and no large-scale response has materialized, leaving Israel and the wider Middle East on edge. Here’s a look at the crisis and the factors that could determine what happens next:Why has Iran vowed revenge? Iran and Hamas officials have promised to avenge the death of Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader, who was killed in Tehran on July 31 after he attended the inauguration of Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian. Iran, which backs Hamas, blamed Israel for the assassination.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Masoud, Israel, Fuad Shukr Locations: Iran, Tehran, Israel, Masoud Pezeshkian, Beirut, Lebanon, Golan

Nearly two weeks have passed and no large-scale response has materialized, leaving Israel and the wider Middle East on edge. Iran, which backs Hamas, blamed Israel for the assassination, but Israeli leaders have not said their forces were responsible. What could an Iranian response look like? U.S. and Israeli diplomats and security officials had some advanced knowledge of its scope and intensity of Iran’s attack in April, which facilitated defensive preparations. The foreign minister of Jordan, an ally of the United States, has traveled to Tehran in recent days for meetings.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Masoud, Israel, Fuad Shukr, Haniyeh’s, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Nasser Kanaan, Sanam Vakil, Pezeshkian, Vakil, Ms, Ali Vaez, Vaez, “ Israel, ”, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, Jordan, Mr, Haniyeh, Lloyd J, Austin III, Biden Organizations: Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Chatham House, Crisis, Diplomats, of Islamic Cooperation, United, Hamas Locations: Iran, Tehran, Israel, Masoud Pezeshkian, Beirut, Lebanon, Golan, East, London, Yemen, Iranian, United States, Gaza, Saudi Arabia

Hamas has chosen Yahya Sinwar, one of the architects of the deadly Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, to lead the militant group’s political wing, it announced on Tuesday, consolidating his power over Hamas as it continues to fight Israel in the Gaza Strip. Mr. Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza since 2017, has long been considered a planner of Hamas’s military strategy there. Now, he will also replace Ismail Haniyeh, the group’s previous political leader and a key liaison in the indirect cease-fire talks with Israel. Mr. Haniyeh, who had been living in Qatar, was killed in an explosion in Iran last week that has been widely attributed to Israel. A hard-line figure born in Gaza, Mr. Sinwar, 61, is a prime target for Israeli forces and is widely believed to be hiding out in tunnels underneath the enclave to avoid Israeli attack.

Persons: Yahya Sinwar, Israel, Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, Haniyeh, Fuad Shukr Locations: Israel, Gaza, Qatar, Iran, Lebanon, Yemen

Beirut, Lebanon CNN —Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said his group will respond to Israel “regardless of the consequences” to avenge the assassination of the group’s top commander a week ago, but keeping Israelis waiting is “part of the punishment.”“Their government, their army, their society, their settlements and their occupiers are all waiting,” Nasrallah said. Keeping Israel waiting is “part of the battle,” he added. The monthslong, cross-border exchange of fire intensified Tuesday morning after Hezbollah launched a “swarm” of drones towards what it said are military targets in northern Israeli cities. The Israeli military said the building was used by Hezbollah. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his Islamic Revolutionary Guard promised Israel a “painful” response for the killing of Haniyeh in Tehran.

Persons: Hassan Nasrallah, ” “, ” Nasrallah, ”, Fuad Shukr, Ismail Haniyeh, Ali Khamenei, Israel, Asad, Defense Lloyd Austin, Antony Blinken, Haniyeh Organizations: Lebanon CNN, CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Iran’s, Islamic Revolutionary Guard, Al, Pentagon, Defense, Officials, Organization of Islamic Cooperation Locations: Beirut, Lebanon, Israel, Nahariya, Iran, Shukr, Tehran, Haniyeh, Asad Airbase, Iraq, Jordanian, Jeddah

☆ A second Iranian attack on Israel would likely dwarf its first
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-06 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Read previewIran has repeatedly vowed it will attack Israel in response to the assassination of Hamas' political leader in Tehran on July 31. Iran directly attacked Israel for the first time in April, two weeks after Israel assassinated Iranian paramilitary commanders at an Iranian consulate annex in Damascus, Syria. AdvertisementHow Israel would retaliate for any Iranian attack would likely depend on certain factors. "If the coming Iranian attack causes Israeli casualties, they are likely to want to respond harshly," Azizi said. Devine believes Israel's response will depend on the "amount of damage and casualties" any Iranian attack ultimately causes.

Persons: —, Israel, Israel's, Fuad Shukr, Ismail Haniyeh, Antony Blinken, Arash Azizi, Azizi, what's, James Devine, Mount Allison University, Devine, MENAHEM KAHANA, Marwan Naamani, Ain, Washington Institute's Nadimi Organizations: Service, Business, Sunday, Clemson University, Iran's, National Security Council, Department of Politics, Relations, Mount Allison, Getty, Washington Institute for Near East, Tel, Hezbollah, Ain al Asad, IDF, Washington Locations: Iran, Tehran, Lebanon, Beirut, Israel, Iranian, Damascus, Syria, Britain, France, Jordan, Iraq's, Karbala, US, AFP, Yemen, Iraq, Tel Aviv, Lebanese, Ain al

Top NewsA rocket attack targeting U.S. personnel housed at a base in Iraq’s western desert injured several American troops late on Monday, according to U.S. defense officials. Initial reports were that at least five people were injured in Monday’s attack and that the wounded included both U.S. troops and contractors. Those Iraqi militants have typically attacked U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria and targeted Israel using longer-range rockets. The chief goal of Iran-backed groups in Iraq is to force the U.S. troops to leave the country entirely. There are about 2,500 American troops in Iraq, as well as 900 in Syria, where the Islamic State has once again become active.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Fuad Shukr, Israel, Haniyeh’s, Biden, Kamala D, Harris, Asad, — Organizations: Asad, Asad Air Base, U.S, Hamas, Mr, Iraqi, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, Revolutionary Guard, Al Asad, Al Asad Air Base, Pentagon, Islamic Locations: Ain, Asad Air, Iran, Gaza, U.S, Syria, Israel, Tehran, Beirut, Yemen, Iraq, Damascus, Al Asad Air, Islamic State, Jurf al, Baghdad

This came after the Israeli military said it had struck a “terrorist cell operating a drone” in southern Lebanon after “numerous projectiles” were fired at northern Israel. Rockets fired from southern Lebanon are intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome air defence system over the Upper Galilee region in northern Israel. The killing came a day after Shukr, a senior Hezbollah leader died in an Israel airstrike on Lebanon’s capital Beirut. Israel’s military said it struck a Hamas military compound embedded in the schools. It came after an Israeli airstrike hit a tent camp inside a hospital in central Gaza earlier in the day.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jordan, Jalaa Marey, Ismail Haniyeh, Fuad Shukr, Haniyeh, Masoud Pezeshkian, Israel “, ” Israel, Shukr, ”, Menahem Kahana, Burcu Ozcelik, Mahmoud Zayyat Organizations: NBC News, Rockets, Israel's, Getty, Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Israel, Pentagon, Navy, Royal United Services Institute, NBC, Diplomats, Health Locations: Israel, Gaza, United States, Australia, France, Canada, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Turkey, Lebanon, Beirut, Galilee, AFP, Iran, Tehran, Golan, Shams, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, U.S, Britain, Haniyeh’s, London, Lebanese, Sidon, Gaza City

The trip highlights the generational gap between Harris and President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, Democratic allies said. Noah Lyles wins gold in epic photo finishDimitar Dilkoff / AFP - Getty ImagesLyles earned his first gold medal in 9.79 seconds, which was a personal best. Lyles was still unconvinced he had won the gold medal after finishing and the scoreboard offered no indication of who had won gold, silver or bronze as officials processed a photo finish. Track and field holds four medal events and surfing will finally have its medal day. ▶️ Watch top highlightsDebby makes landfall in Florida as a Category 1 hurricaneHurricane Debby has made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend as a Category 1 hurricane.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Hurricane, Noah Lyles, Harris, John Bazemore, Harris ’, Andy Beshear, Pete Buttigieg, Sen, Mark Kelly of, JB Pritzker, Josh Shapiro, Tim Walz, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Trump, “, Nikki Haley, Dimitar Dilkoff, Lyles, Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, Fred Kerley, Thompson, ” Lyles, Kerley, Peacock, Read, ste, Caro, Ron, Flor, rais e d fear, ron e, Rob e, Ari z, ena, go to a, ake is b, ✦, lea, ree Organizations: Kentucky, Mark Kelly of Arizona ,, Mark Kelly of Arizona , Illinois Gov, Minnesota Gov, Democratic, Trump, Republicans, Getty, Olympic, ust, NBC, POLI Locations: Florida, Mark Kelly of Arizona, Mark Kelly of Arizona , Illinois, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, AFP, bou, spee, sto

☆ Oil hovers at 8-month lows as U.S. recession fears offset Mideast tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices hovered at eight-month lows on Monday as fears of a recession in the United States, the world's top oil consumer, offset concerns that escalating tensions in the Middle East may affect supplies from the largest producing region. The market had been expecting OPEC+ to delay the phase out of voluntary production cuts beyond the third quarter, ANZ analysts said. A Reuters survey showed on Friday that OPEC oil output rose in July despite production cuts by the group. Weak economic data across the globe weighed on oil prices, on concerns that a sluggish global economic recovery would dampen fuel consumption. Slumping diesel consumption in China, the world's biggest contributor to oil demand growth, is weighing on global oil prices.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Fuad Shukr, WTI, Baker Hughes Organizations: New Harmony Oil, Brent, U.S, West Texas, Hezbollah, ANZ, Organization of, Petroleum, Reuters Locations: Grayville , Illinois, United States, Gaza, Cairo, Israel, Iran, Lebanese, East, Brent, U.S, Russia, China, Europe

The Serbian tennis legend had won all four Grand Slam titles and practically every honor there is in the sport, but the Olympic gold medal had escaped him. Paul Ellis / AFP via Getty ImagesSimone Biles' Olympic medal collection has officially reached double digits. , the American cyclist who didn’t even qualify for the Olympics but is now going home with a gold medal. Racing in a downpour, Julien Alfred won the first Olympic medal in any sport for Saint Lucia on Saturday when she took gold in the women's 100-meter final. the first Olympic medal in any sport for Saint Lucia on Saturday when she took gold in the women's 100-meter final.

Persons: Noah Lyles, Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, ’ Fred Kerley, Hector Vivas, Lyles, Novak Djokovic, Matthew Stockman, Novak Djokovic couldn’t, Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Simone Biles, Paul Ellis, ”, Biles, hasn’t, “, ” Biles, Suni Lee, Kaylia Nemour, Qiu Qiyuan, David Li, Imane, Hungarian Anna Luca Hámori, ” Khelif, Lin Yu, Thomas Bach, Kristen Faulkner, Bobby Finke, Katie Ledecky can’t, Julien Alfred, Saint Lucia, Sha'Carri Richardson, Kamala Harris, Whom Harris, we’ll, Andy Beshear, Pete Buttigieg, Sen, Mark Kelly of, JB Pritzker, Josh Shapiro, Tim Walz, MAGA, Harris, Nikki Haley, Donald Trump, Trump, Vance, SCOTUS, Neil Gorsuch, Joe Biden's, Debby, Storm Debby, Darren Staples, Keir Starmer, Israel, Ismail Haniyeh, Fuad Shukr, “ They’ll, Michael G Organizations: Paris Olympics, U.S, Olympic, Getty, NBC News Algerian, Team USA, Saint, Paris, Taxi, Philadelphia . Kentucky Gov, Mark Kelly of Arizona ,, Mark Kelly of Arizona , Illinois Gov, Minnesota Gov, Democratic, Republican, GOP, ABC, Fox News, Tropical, National Hurricane Center, NOAA, U.S . Justice Department, Protesters, NBC News, NBC News Companies Locations: Serbian, Paris, Tokyo, Los Angeles, China, Hungarian, Taipei, U.S, Philadelphia . Kentucky, Mark Kelly of Arizona, Mark Kelly of Arizona , Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, of Mexico, Rocky, Southern California, Mississippi’s, Nottingham, England, AFP, Southport —, Liverpool, Hull, Israel, Iran, Breakwater, Rockland , Maine, South Florida, Nashville , Tennessee, Atlanta

TEL AVIV — Israel is bracing for a potential multiday attack by Iran and its ally Hezbollah following the assassination of two senior militant leaders last week, an Israeli official told NBC News. Israel killed Shukr in a strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut last Tuesday. Hours later, news broke that Haniyeh was killed in Tehran in the early hours Wednesday morning. The call was “tense,” according to the Israeli official. This time, the Israeli official said the attacks could come over several days, with Hezbollah attacking Israel from the north while Iran’s longer-range weapons are fired from the east.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Fuad Shukr, “ They’ll, Shukr, ”, Haniyeh, Masoud Pezeshkian, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, “ Biden, Israel, Netanyahu, Raf Sanchez, Doha Madani Organizations: NBC News, Diplomats Locations: TEL AVIV, Israel, Iran, Beirut, Golan, Tehran, Gaza, U.S, Cairo, Damascus, Tel Aviv, Doha, New York City

☆ Biden voices hope Iran will stand down but is uncertain
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. President Joe Biden expressed hope Iran would stand down despite its threat to avenge the assassination of Hamas' leader in Tehran, as fears mounted that Israel's war against Palestinian militants in Gaza could escalate into a wider Middle East conflict. Iran and Hamas have blamed Israel for Haniyeh's killing, and they, together with Hezbollah, have vowed revenge. Asked by reporters whether Iran would stand down, Biden said on Saturday in response to a shouted question, "I hope so. Seeking to bolster defenses in the Middle East in response to threats from Israel's foes, the Pentagon said on Friday it would deploy additional fighter jets and Navy warships to the region. Haniyeh's death was one in a series of killings of senior Hamas figures as the Gaza war nears its 11th month, and it fuelled concern that the conflict in Gaza was turning into a wider Middle East war.

Persons: Joe Biden, Ismail Haniyeh, Fuad Shukr, Israel, Biden, Haniyeh Organizations: Civil, LBJ Presidential, Palestinian, Hezbollah, Pentagon Locations: Austin , Texas, U.S, Iran, Tehran, Gaza, Beirut, Lebanese, Israel, France, Britain, Italy, Egypt, Lebanon, Canada

The Israeli military said its air force had struck what it described as Hezbollah targets in Kfar Kila and killed a Hezbollah leader in Deir Siriane. Hezbollah has fired thousands of rockets and drones at Israel, saying it was acting in solidarity with Hamas, which is also backed by Iran. Hamas and Iran have accused Israel of assassinating Mr. Haniyeh, but Israel has not publicly taken responsibility for that killing. Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas have vowed to retaliate against Israel. For now, the developments appear to have derailed any prospect, however remote, of a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel.

Persons: Beit Hillel, Deir, Fuad Shukr, Ismail Haniyeh, Shukr, Israel, Mr, Haniyeh Organizations: Hezbollah, Hamas, Sunday Locations: Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Beit, Kfar Kila, Deir Siriane, Beirut, Tehran, Golan

Thousands packed Qatar’s largest mosque on Friday for the funeral of Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’s political leader, hours after President Biden said his killing could hurt the monthslong effort to negotiate a cease-fire in Gaza. Mr. Haniyeh, who was based in the Persian Gulf nation, had been a negotiator in the cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas. His death in an explosion in Iran on Wednesday and the assassination of the Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon on Tuesday have put the Middle East on edge, bracing for a possible escalation in retaliatory violence. Asked by a reporter on Thursday night whether the killing of Mr. Haniyeh had ruined the prospect of a negotiated cease-fire in Gaza, Mr. Biden said, “It has not helped.”He added that he had a “very direct” conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel earlier that day and had urged him to agree to a deal to stop the war in Gaza and free the remaining people kidnapped in the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Biden, Haniyeh, Fuad Shukr, Mr, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel Organizations: Hamas Locations: Gaza, Persian, Israel, Iran, Lebanon

☆ Opinion | The Gaza Conflict Enters ‘Uncharted Territory’
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Serge Schmemann | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

He was right; war is never inevitable until it breaks out. He was killed by an explosive device planted in an Iranian guesthouse weeks earlier, and both Iran and Hamas accused Israel of doing it. For Iran, the killing of a senior Hamas leader while he was attending the inauguration of the new Iranian president was a humiliation that the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declared it was “our duty” to avenge. Mr. Haniyeh, moreover, was a top Hamas negotiator in cease-fire talks, raising questions about whether those negotiations would be put on a long hold. Nonetheless, Mr. Austin, who was on a visit to the Philippines, went on to suggest that there was still room for diplomacy.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Israel, Fuad Shukr, Ismail Haniyeh, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ”, Haniyeh, Austin, Antony Blinken Organizations: ”, Mr Locations: Beirut, Lebanon, Tehran, Israel, Iran, United States, Philippines, Asia

But although Mr. Nasrallah promised that Hezbollah would respond, he equivocated on the scope and nature of that retaliation. “We have entered a new phase,” he said, speaking in a televised address during the funeral for Mr. Shukr. “You do not realize the red lines you have crossed,” warned Mr. Nasrallah, addressing Israel directly. “The only things lying between us and you are the days, the nights and the battlefield,” said Mr. Nasrallah, again addressing Israel. Credit... Diego Ibarra Sanchez for The New York TimesAfter Mr. Nasrallah finished his speech, Mr. Shukr’s coffin was carried onto the street outside and met a sea of mourners.

Persons: Hassan Nasrallah, Fuad Shukr, Nasrallah, ”, Shukr, Mr, Diego Ibarra Sanchez, Fatima Nizan al, “, ” Aaron Boxerman, Hwaida Saad Organizations: The New York Locations: Lebanese, Beirut, Lebanon, Israel, Lebanon’s, Iran, Credit, Beirut’s, Jerusalem

☆ Israel scored major intelligence wins in daring assassinations of Iranian proxy leaders
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

AdvertisementA photo taken on July 30 shows the destroyed top floors of an eight-story building following an Israeli military strike on Beirut's southern suburb. AdvertisementA man waves a Hezbollah and a Palestinian flag during the funeral procession of top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut's southern suburbs on August 1. AdvertisementA man waves a Hezbollah and a Palestinian flag during the funeral procession of top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut's southern suburbs on August 1. Photo by AFP via Getty ImagesYoav Gallant, Israel's defense minister, said Thursday that "the operation was conducted precisely and professionally" by the IDF and Israeli security forces. In April, Israel's military intelligence chief resigned and said his directorate "did not live up to the task we were entrusted with."

Persons: —, Israel, Fuad Shukr, Shukr, Hasan Nasrallah, Jonathan Lord, KHALED DESOUKI, Bruce Hoffman, Ismail Haniyeh, Masoud, Axios, Hoffman, Mohammed Deif, Yoav Gallant, apparatuses Organizations: Service, Israel, Business, Getty, Jihad Council, US Marine Corps, Israel Defense Forces, Pentagon, Center, New, New American Security, Palestinian, Council, Foreign Relations, The New York Times, Getty Images Israel, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, AFP Locations: Lebanon, Iran, East, Beirut, Golan, New American, Beirut's, AFP, Tehran, Israel, Gaza, Hamas, Palestine

☆ Netanyahu, Defiant, Appears to Have Gone Rogue, Risking a Regional War
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Steven Erlanger | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As the Biden administration and its allies try to secure an elusive cease-fire in Gaza, Israel appears to have gone rogue. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, came to Washington last week to give a defiant speech. Despite international condemnation, he vowed to continue the war against Hamas in Gaza and the West Bank, where Israel is killing and imprisoning scores of Palestinians each week, without any clear idea of its endgame. The assassinations of senior Hezbollah and Hamas figures abroad have now sharply raised the risks of a larger regional war as Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah prepare retaliation, analysts say. They are more likely to intensify the conflict than diminish it, making progress on a Gaza cease-fire even more difficult.

Persons: Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s, Fuad Shukr, Ismail Haniyeh Organizations: West Bank Locations: Gaza, Israel, Washington, Iran

☆ Buy gold and oil for protection as Middle East tensions escalate, UBS says
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

As tensions escalate in the Middle East , investors should consider adding gold and oil as a hedge. "A wider regional war could affect oil supplies, which would likely lead to quick price spikes. Gold, meanwhile, should serve its role as a more conservative asset," UBS analysts led by Tilmann Kolb told clients in a Wednesday note. Gold has risen since the Beirut strike, "underlining its risk hedge characteristics," the analysts said. High demand from banks and a likely uptick in demand when the Federal Reserve lowers rates should also push gold prices higher, they said.

Persons: Tilmann Kolb, Ismail Haniyeh, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Fuad Shukr Organizations: UBS, New York Times, Federal Locations: East, Israel, Iran, Tehran, Lebanon, Golan Heights, Beirut

The strike on Beirut was the first time during this war that Israel has targeted such an influential Hezbollah leader in Lebanon’s capital. Hours later, the killing in Iran of Hamas’s political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was considered the most brazen breach of Iran’s defenses in years. Image A protests in Tehran on Wednesday after Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader, was assassinated in Iran. Despite his title as Hamas’s political leader, Mr. Haniyeh is replaceable, said Joost Hiltermann, the Middle East and North Africa program director for the International Crisis Group. In January, Israeli strikes killed a senior Hamas leader in Hezbollah’s stronghold in Beirut, leading to fears that Hezbollah would mount a particularly fierce response on Hamas’s behalf.

Persons: Amira, Hassan Fadlallah, Fuad Shukr, Ismail Haniyeh, Diego Ibarra Sanchez, Iran —, Michael Stephens, Haniyeh’s, Stephens, Mr, Andreas Krieg, Arash Khamooshi, ” Mr, Krieg, ”, it’s, Haniyeh, Joost Hiltermann, “, Israel, Israel Katz, Katz, Itamar Rabinovich, Israel’s, Rabinovich, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Vivian Yee Organizations: Israel’s, The New York Times Iranian, Foreign Policy Research Institute, King’s College ,, The New York Times, International Crisis, United Nations, Hezbollah Locations: Dahiyeh, Beirut, Lebanon, Gaza, Israel, Iran, simultaneity, Yemen, Iraq, Credit, United States, Philadelphia, King’s College , London, Tehran, East, North Africa, Hezbollah’s, Syria, Bourj el Barajneh, U.S, Washington

☆ Hezbollah Leader Threatens Retaliation Against Israel, Saying Conflict Is in ‘New Phase’
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Euan Ward | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The leader of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, said on Thursday that its conflict with Israel had entered a new phase after an Israeli strike in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, this week. But although Mr. Nasrallah promised that Hezbollah would respond, he equivocated on the scope and nature of that retaliation. “We have entered a new phase,” he said, speaking in a televised address during the funeral for Mr. Shukr. “You do not realize the red lines you have crossed,” warned Mr. Nasrallah, addressing Israel directly. The speech by Mr. Nasrallah on Thursday appeared to straddle that line.

Persons: Hassan Nasrallah, Fuad Shukr, Nasrallah, ”, Shukr, Mr Locations: Lebanese, Israel, Lebanon’s, Beirut, Iran

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