Middle East Tensions Escalate After Israeli Strikes

Tensions in the Middle East are escalating as Israeli airstrikes in Tehran and Beirut have killed senior leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, prompting vows of retaliation from Iran. Both Iran and Hezbollah have indicated that they do not care if their responses trigger a wider war, ignoring calls from the Biden administration to deescalate. Fear and panic have gripped Lebanon, with residents preparing for potential conflict and many attempting to leave the country. Hezbollah has begun moving its leaders and war equipment out of Beirut to avoid Israeli strikes, and hospitals are preparing for possible war-related casualties. The situation has also caused divisions within Israel, with citizens expressing anxiety over the potential repercussions of the assassinations. Meanwhile, the Lebanese political system remains in disarray, further complicating the already volatile regional dynamics.