Israel is ready for a potential response from Iran ahead of the United States presidential election according to Israeli sources who spoke with CNN.
The source continued, stating that Tehran is now in a difficult situation due to Israel’s recent attacks on Iranian missile factories and air defense installations, which have diminished Tehran’s capacity to attack Israel and defend itself against future Israeli attacks.
The U.S. sent officials to the Middle East in an effort to reawaken diplomatic efforts to end the wars in Gaza and Lebanon and to dissuade any possible response from Iran. Officials are still skeptical that the efforts will lead to a truce in the Palestinian enclave before the US election.
The war in Lebanon persists, despite the increased optimism regarding a potential Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire. Lebanese state media reported that the Israeli military conducted its first strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs in nearly a week following the deaths of seven civilians in Israel, including four Thai workers, as a result of Hezbollah rocket fire.
An Israeli airstrike struck two houses north of the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza, according to health officials, resulting in the deaths of at least 13 people and the injuries of dozens. The Israeli military has not yet provided a response.