The United States has warned both Israel and Iran that the conflict in the Middle East must not escalate

The United States has warned both Israel and Iran that the conflict in the Middle East must not escalate, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced. The region is on high alert for potential new attacks by Iran and its allies following last week’s killing of senior members of the militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah.

Blinken has stated:

“We’ve been engaged in intense diplomacy with allies and partners, conveying this message directly to Iran and Israel.”

He added that the United States will continue to defend Israel against attacks, but emphasized that everyone in the region must be aware of the risks of escalation and miscalculation. “Further attacks only increase the risk of dangerous outcomes that no one can predict or fully control.”

Israeli Forces kills 45 fighters in Gaza
Israeli forces have killed 45 Palestinian fighters in Gaza in the last 48 hours, according to a statement by the military on Tuesday. The militant group Hamas reported that it destroyed two armored personnel carriers in an ambush near Rafah. Among those killed was the Hamas official responsible for smuggling operations, whose death has reportedly dealt a significant blow to their ability to import weapons and military equipment into the besieged area.

Vladimir putin tells Iran to avoid civilian casualties.
Vladimir Putin has reportedly also told Iran to avoid civilian casualties in any retaliatory attack on Israel, an underlining of the constraints it faces as it frames its response. It is a call for restraint that is likely to be echoed by many foreign ministers from the 57 countries inside the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at a meeting in Jeddah on Wednesday as tensions in the Middle East grow.