Amid Israel's response to the unprecedented attack by Hamas, the Middle East is on the brink of a multi-sided conflict as the so-called Axis of Resistance, including Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen, has reportedly been prepared to assist Hamas, leaving Israel at the centre of the attacks.
While Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are said to be arming and funding Shiite and Sunni militants in the region, the Axis of Resistance has extended its strong support for the recent Hamas attack, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.
Experts warn of a looming three- or four-front war as Israel faces threats from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza and the West Bank, while also dealing with potential hostilities from Hezbollah and PIJ in Lebanon and Syria. Tensions escalated further as Lebanon's Hezbollah launched rockets, prompting deadly retaliation from Israel.
The Pentagon has issued a stern warning to Hezbollah to "think twice" before opening a second front, pledging U.S. support for Israel. In a show of strength, the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group has been dispatched to the Eastern Mediterranean, with reports suggesting the possibility of deploying a second aircraft carrier near Israel for added deterrence.
Analysts believe that neither Hezbollah nor Israel wants to be drawn into a major regional war, recognizing the potential political and economic costs. The recent exchanges of fire are seen as a risky game, with the situation on a precipice where escalation could spiral out of control.
Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are accused of arming and funding Shiite and Sunni militants in the region. The so-called Axis of Resistance, including Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen, has expressed strong support for the recent Hamas attack, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.
As Israel vows to exact a heavy toll for the attacks, the region holds its breath amid the possibility of an open-ended, multi-front war. The international community watches with growing concern as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East reach a critical juncture, raising fears of widespread consequences for nations involved and beyond.