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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.
