Concerns about the expansion of the conflict in the Middle East are increasing

2023-10-22 17:06:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Concerns about the risk of the war between Israel and Hamas escalating into a wider conflict in the Middle East are growing, as Israel struck again in Gaza and Hamas supporters in Lebanon and Syria. Israeli military forces, which are once again preparing for a ground attack on Gaza, announced that they have intensified attacks on the enclave controlled by Hamas. Today (Sunday), Israeli forces attacked a space under a mosque which they said was being used by Islamic militants for attacks against Israel. Meanwhile, the United States sent additional military systems to the region.

Israel continued airstrikes in Gaza, including hitting a compound under a mosque that the Israeli military said was being used by militants to stage attacks.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Ambulance Service said at least one Palestinian was killed and three others were injured.

"As a result of intensified attacks and accurate information we have, dozens of terrorists were killed in Gaza City and its surroundings. In addition, the deputy chief of the Hamas rocket force was also killed," said the Israeli army spokesman while adding calls for civilians in Gaza to continue evacuating towards the southern border with Egypt.

"I appeal to the rest of the residents: go south. Hamas is using you. I'm using you as a human shield. Move to the south where the conditions are being created to provide you with what you need".

This statement seems to be a reaction to what Palestinian President Mahmoud Bass said in Cairo the day before.

"We warn against any attempt to displace our people from Gaza and we also warn against any attempt to expel Palestinians from their homes or displace them from Jerusalem or the West Bank, because we will not accept displacement and we will we remain steadfast regardless of the challenges", said the president of the Palestinian Authority and added:

"Ladies and gentlemen, we will not leave, we will not run away and we will remain on our land."

Meanwhile, the intensification of fighting has strengthened concerns about the escalation of the situation in the entire Middle East.

Israeli missiles hit international airports in Syria's Aleppo and Damascus, where Hamas's main backer, Iran, has a military presence.

Along Israel's northern border with Lebanon, the Israeli military said it struck several Hezbollah targets overnight. Iran-backed Hezbollah has increasingly clashed with Israeli forces supporting Hamas.

In another sign of increased danger in the north, Israel expanded the evacuation zone to communities bordering Lebanon.

There were other incidents along the border with Lebanon, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who visited military troops near the northern border, made it clear what could happen if Hezbollah were to engage in war with Israel.

"I can't tell you right now if Hezbollah has decided to fully enter the war. If that happens, they will make the biggest mistake of their lives and we will hit them with unimaginable force. This means destruction for them and the state of Lebanon," Prime Minister Netanyahu said.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Washington would send additional military systems to the Middle East in support of Israel and strengthen the US defense posture in the region after "recent escalations by Iran and its allies". - a reference to Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamist militants.

A second convoy of aid trucks entered the Egyptian side of the border crossing with Gaza, according to Egyptian security and humanitarian sources in Rafah.

19 trucks carrying medical and food supplies had been inspected by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, the sources said.

The first convoy of 20 trucks with much-needed supplies entered Gaza on Saturday./ VOA