Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Fears of Middle East War Grow after Hamas leader's killing

POSTED ON August 4, 2024 •   World      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara
Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh

Tensions in the Middle East have escalated as Iran and its allies prepare to retaliate for the assassination of Hamas's political leader, blamed on Israel, raising fears of a regional war.

The United States, an ally of Israel, has announced it will deploy warships and fighter jets to the region, while Western governments have called on their citizens to leave Lebanon, where the powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah movement is based, and airlines have cancelled flights.

The killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, shortly after the Israeli assassination of Hezbollah's military chief in Beirut, has prompted vows of vengeance from Iran and the "axis of resistance".

Iran-backed groups from Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, and Syria have already been drawn into the nearly 10-month war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.

Israel has continued to engage in military operations, including trading fire with Hezbollah, carrying out a deadly raid in the occupied West Bank, and striking a school compound in Gaza City, which the Hamas-ruled territory's civil defence agency said killed at least 17 people.

Iran has stated that it expects Hezbollah to strike deeper inside Israel, no longer confined to military targets.

The United States has announced it will bolster its military presence in the Middle East to protect US personnel and defend Israel.

The British and American governments have urged their citizens in Lebanon to leave immediately. Canada has advised its nationals to avoid travel to Israel due to the unstable security situation.

Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas in retaliation for its October 7 attack, which triggered the war in Gaza and resulted in the deaths of 1,197 people, mostly civilians.

Militants have also seized 251 hostages, 111 of whom are still held captive in Gaza, including 39 the military says are dead.

Israel's campaign against Hamas has killed at least 39,550 people in Gaza, according to the territory's health ministry. 

The killing of Hamas's lead negotiator has raised questions about the continued viability of efforts to broker a truce and exchange of hostages and prisoners.

Protesters in several Israeli cities have renewed their calls for a hostage-release deal.

The war in Gaza has caused widespread destruction and displaced almost the entire population of the territory.

READ ALSO
Trump Ban Nationals from 12 Countries amid Security Concerns
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

President Donald Trump has enacted a new proclamation prohibiting citizens from 12 nations from ente...

READ ALSO
Tinubu Honors Bill Gates with National Award for Global Philanthropy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu commended Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and chairma...

READ ALSO
Bahrain, Colombia, DRC, Latvia, and Liberia Join UN Security Council for 2026-2027 Term
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

The UN General Assembly on Tuesday elected five new non-permanent members to the UN Security Council...

READ ALSO
60,000 Nigerians Abroad Register on Diaspora Data Mapping Portal
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 3, 2025 0

Approximately 60,000 Nigerians residing overseas have registered on the Diaspora Data Mapping Portal...

READ ALSO
30 Confirmed Dead as Heavy Rains Batter Northeast India
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 1, 2025 0

Severe flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rainfall in India's northeast over the...

READ ALSO
China to Advocate for African Rights on Global Stage
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The Chinese Counselor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shen Sha, has reiterated China's strong de...

READ ALSO
China-Africa Institute to Launch First Museum in China Celebrating African History and Culture
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The China-Africa Institute, part of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, has unveiled plans to cr...

READ ALSO
Botswana's Speaker Lauds China's Commitment to African Development
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The Speaker of the National Assembly of Botswana, Dithapelo Keorapetse, has praised China for its de...

OUR CHANNELS:

Osun Raises Alarm Over Alleged Fund Diversion by CBN and AGF
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

OSUN, Nigeria - The Osun State Government has expressed concern about a purported attempt by the Cen...


Nigeria Police Link Schoolgirl Cannabis Clip to Zimbabwe
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

The Nigeria Police Force has addressed a widely circulated video on WhatsApp and social media, which...


Tinubu to Launch Multiple Development Projects Today in Kaduna
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

KADUNA, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu is anticipated to arrive in Kaduna State today for the inaug...


Tinubu Assembles High-Level Committee After Benue Tragedy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu announced the formation of a committee on Wednesday aimed at restoring sustain...


Finidi George Leads Rivers United into 2025/26 Season Training Camp
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

Rivers United's coach, Finidi George, has motivated his players as the Port Harcourt-based team kick...


Moses Simon Completes Move to Paris FC for €7 Million
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

As reported by French news source Foot Mercato, Paris FC, a newly-promoted team in French Ligue 1, h...


Osimhen's Impressive Loan Spell Fuels Transfer Speculation
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

Nigerian international Victor Osimhen remains at the center of significant transfer rumors, with Ita...


NDLEA Calls for Collective Action Against Drug Abuse in Nigeria
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has urged Nigerians and state governments to take r...


Tor Tiv Urges President Tinubu to Foster Lasting Peace in Benue State
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

The Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, expressed that President Bola Tinubu has the ability to bring lasti...


Desperate Investments: Why Nigerians Turn to Ponzi Schemes for Survival
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

At a modest internet café tucked away in Egbeda, a bustling Lagos suburb, 29-year-old Chidi O...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu