Iran Warns Israel Against Retaliation Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions

The commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards issued a stark warning to Israel on Thursday, cautioning against any retaliation for a recent missile barrage. This warning comes as the Israeli military intensifies its offensive in Lebanon against the Tehran-backed group, Hezbollah.

Tensions have heightened across the region since Iran's missile attack on October 1, following Israeli airstrikes on militants allied with Iran. Hossein Salami, the Iranian commander, warned Israel, saying, "If you commit any aggression against any point, we will painfully attack the same point of yours." He emphasized that Iran has the capability to penetrate Israel's defenses.

Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, discussing Israel's ongoing operations in Lebanon and Gaza with hopes of preventing a regional war.

In parallel, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, where Sisi reiterated Egypt's call to avoid an escalation of the conflict.

Despite these diplomatic efforts, Israel continues its military campaigns against Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, vowing to punish Iran for its recent missile attack. The Israeli military confirmed strikes on Hezbollah leaders and operations against militants in Gaza.

In Gaza, airstrikes on Thursday killed 19 Palestinians, including children, at a school sheltering displaced people in the Jabalia camp, according to health officials. Dozens more were injured. Israel claimed the strikes targeted militants from Hamas and the Islamic Jihad group.

Israel also launched attacks on Syria's port city of Latakia and the United States conducted strikes on Yemen, targeting Iran-aligned Houthis. Diplomatic efforts, including ceasefire negotiations mediated by Qatar, have so far stalled.

The conflict has caused significant casualties, with Israel reporting the deaths of dozens of Hezbollah fighters and civilians. The Israeli military confirmed issuing evacuation warnings in Lebanon, advising residents to vacate buildings believed to house Hezbollah facilities.

Over the past year, Israeli military operations in Lebanon have claimed over 2,350 lives and displaced more than 1.2 million people, while Israeli casualties include around 50 soldiers and civilians. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated a year ago, when the militant group began supporting Hamas by firing missiles at Israel.

Amidst the ongoing violence, residents like Abdelnaser, displaced from Beirut’s southern suburbs, expressed a grim acceptance of Lebanon's cycle of destruction. "War has become normal for us," he said. "Every 10 years Lebanon gets built, and every 10 years it gets destroyed again."

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