World on edge amid push to defuse Iran-Israel tensions

AFP | Jerusalem       

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Israel bombed war-battered Gaza, Hamas said yesterday, as world leaders awaited Israel’s reaction but urged de-escalation after Iran’s unprecedented attack that heightened fears of wider conflict.

World powers have called for restraint after Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel late Saturday, though the Israeli military has said nearly all were intercepted.

Tehran’s first direct assault on Israel, in retaliation for a deadly April 1 strike on its Damascus embassy consular annex, followed months of violence across the region involving Iranian proxies and allies who say they act in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

No decision has been made on how, when - or if - Israel could respond to the Iran attack, local media said, reporting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would meet with his war cabinet later Monday.

Tensions in Iran “weaken the regime and rather serve Israel,” the newspaper Israel Hayom said, adding that this suggested Israeli leaders would not rush to retaliate. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has warned that a “reckless” Israeli move would spark a “much stronger response”.

Tehran has insisted the attack on Israel was an act of “self-defence” after the Damascus strike that killed seven Revolutionary Guards including two generals.