Middle East Experience

Israel's invasion of Lebanon this week and Iran's missile attack on its regional foe, all while war rages on in Gaza, have heightened the risk of a high-intensity conflict across the Middle East.The spiralling violence now threatens to engulf more and more of the region despite diplomatic efforts to calm tensions, with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warning of a "sickening cycle of escalation after escalation".AFP spoke to analysts to assess what could happen next:- Will Israel retaliate? -
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: What happens next in Iran-Israel conflict?

Strikes by the United States and Britain targeted four rebel-run provinces in Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and the port city of Hodeida, according to the Huthi-run Al Masirah television network.Al Masirah reported four strikes on Sanaa and seven on Hodeida, with AFP correspondents hearing loud explosions in both cities.At least one strike hit Dhamar, south of the capital, and Mukayras, southeast of Sanaa, Al Masirah said.There was no immediate comment from the United States or Britain and Al Masirah did not elaborate on any damage or casualties.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Huthi media says US-UK strikes hit 4 Yemen governorates

Thomas Haldenwang reportedly warned that conflict in the Middle East often creates tensions in Germany.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: October 7 anniversary may be antisemitism 'trigger event,' German intelligence warns

Israel marks the first anniversary Monday of the devastating October 7 Hamas attack that sparked the Gaza war and has now engulfed neighbouring Lebanon, creating a perilous regional crisis.President Isaac Herzog will lead a memorial service at Sderot, one of the cities hardest hit during the onslaught by Palestinian militants.A rally calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip will be held at kibbutz Beeri, where more than 100 people were killed last October 7.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israel to mark October 7 attack as Gaza war spreads

Tehran's top diplomat in Damascus on Saturday threatened an "even stronger" reaction to any aggression, as Israel readied its response to an Iranian missile attack earlier this week."Our reaction to any attack by the Zionist regime is completely clear," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters in the Syrian capital, where he met top officials including Tehran's ally President Bashar al-Assad."For every action, there will be a proportional and similar reaction from Iran, and even stronger," he said.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iran FM threatens 'even stronger' retaliation to any attack

After Israeli bombardment forced them flee their homes in haste, displaced Lebanese have been asking volunteers to enter their bombed out neighbourhoods to retrieve their pets.Maggie Shaarawi, vice president of the Animals Lebanon charity, is one of the rescuers."A lot of people had to evacuate their homes in a hurry. In most cases, cats stressed by bombing hide," making it impossible to scoop them up quickly, she said."Our goal is to just enter, rescue and leave."
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Volunteers risk lives to retrieve pets from bombed out south Beirut

There is a broad recommendation within the IDF to respond to the Iranian attack while minimizing risks and maximizing opportunities.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: IDF prepares 'significant' retaliatory strike to Iran's missile barrage

"I believe that today, the priority is to return to a political solution and to stop delivering weapons to carry out the fighting in Gaza," Macron said.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: France's Macron says sales of arms used in Gaza should be halted

In two videos and an image published to N12, the inside of a building and a house can be seen with a gaping hole in the roof, where a rocket crashed through in the earlier barrage. 
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Hezbollah rockets crash into buildings, houses in Karmiel, Deir al-Assad during Shabbat

Thousands of protesters marched through central London on Saturday calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon as the war in the Palestinian territory neared the one-year mark.Pro-Palestinian supporters from across the country began the march from Russell Square to Downing Street demanding an end to the conflict, which has killed nearly 42,000 people in Gaza;
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Thousands march in London in support of Palestinians, 1 year after Oct 7