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According to the Global Times, citing Axios News Network of the United States on the 4th local time, three so-called sources familiar with the call revealed to the media that US Secretary of State Blinken told the foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) on the 4th that Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah's attacks on Israel may begin as early as Monday (5th).

File photo of Hamas Political Bureau leader Ismail Haniyeh (Source: Xinhua News Agency)

Sources said Blinken said it was unclear what form Iran's retaliation would take, and the United States did not know the exact timing of the attack, but the attack could begin as early as the next 24 to 48 hours, or as early as Monday.

The New York Times reported that Israel is preparing for "multi-faceted retaliation" for the assassination of Hamas politician Haniyeh and Lebanese Hezbollah senior military commander Shukur.

On July 31, local time, Haniyeh was attacked and killed in Tehran, Iran.

On the same day, Hezbollah issued a statement confirming that Hezbollah senior military commander Fuad Shukur was killed in an Israeli airstrike on the southern suburbs of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, on the 30th. This is the highest-ranking Hezbollah commander to be killed in an attack since 2016.

In recent days, Iranian officials have frequently spoken out, vowing to retaliate against Israel. Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei said that Haniyeh was assassinated in the Iranian capital, and Iran has the responsibility to retaliate and has reason to severely punish Israel. Iran's Acting Foreign Minister Bagheri said that Israel's attack violated Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and Iran will definitely use its "legitimate right of self-defense to punish" Israel. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also emphasized that Israel will be "severely punished" at the appropriate time and place.

Lebanese Hezbollah leader Nasrallah said Israel had crossed the red line and "we have entered a new stage on all fronts."

According to China News Service, on August 5 local time, Lebanon's Hezbollah announced an attack on military targets in northern Israel.

According to the Iranian state news agency IRNA, Hezbollah said in a statement on the 5th that it used multiple drones to attack the headquarters of the 91st Division of the Israeli Army, causing casualties. This action was a response to the assassinations and attacks launched by the Israeli army in multiple locations in southern Lebanon.

According to the Times of Israel, the Israeli military said that Hezbollah launched an attack near Ayelet Hashahar in northern Israel, injuring an officer and a soldier. In addition, the attack also caused a fire in the area.

"An uneasy calm is looming over Israel," said the New York Times. On the other hand, calls for "revenge" have dominated Iranian media in recent days. Qatar's Al Jazeera said Iran is seeking to restore deterrence against Israel without triggering a full-scale war in the region. As the situation worsens, the United States, Britain, France and other countries have called on their citizens in Iran and Lebanon to "leave as soon as possible."

Israeli Defense Minister Galant reiterated on August 4 that Israel is ready to respond to attacks and that "enemies that attack Israel will pay a heavy price for this." An Israeli military spokesman said on the same day that despite multiple rumors about "when Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah will attack Israel," Israel's defense instructions to the public have not changed so far. The Israeli military also announced the launch of a new broadcasting system that day, allowing the public to receive early warning information about large-scale attacks on their mobile phones in a timely manner based on their location.

Jimu News integrates Global Network, China News Service, and CCTV News

(Source: Jimu News)