(31 Jul 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jerusalem – 31 July 2024
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1. SOUNDBITE (English) Julia Frankel, Associated Press reporter:
"Currently, the Middle East is reeling from two recent strikes on top Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, with the potential to escalate tensions in the region into a full blown war. Tuesday evening, Israel targeted senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut. Then Wednesday morning, people woke up to the news that top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh had been assassinated in Tehran, prompting the Iranian Supreme Leader (Ali Khamenei) to vow revenge on Israel, though Israeli officials kept quiet about the assassination. The two strikes have the potential to dramatically ramp up tensions in the region and prompt a direct Iranian attack on Israel. It could also prompt Hamas to pull out of cease-fire efforts that are currently brokering or attempting to broker an end to the monthslong war in Gaza. The U.S. and other nations were scrambling to attempt to avoid a regional conflagration."
STORYLINE:
The targeting of two senior militant leaders in two Middle Eastern capitals within hours of each other — with each strike blamed on Israel — risks rocking the region at a critical moment.
The strikes come as international mediators are working to bring Israel and Hamas to agree to a cease-fire that would wind down the devastating war in Gaza and free hostages.
Intense diplomatic efforts are also underway to ease tensions between Israel and Hezbollah after months of cross-border fighting.
The assassination of Hamas’ top leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and the strike against senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut could upend those painstaking attempts to defuse a Middle East powder keg.
Iran has also threatened to respond after the attack on its territory, which could drag the region into all-out war.
Haniyeh’s assassination could prompt Hamas to pull out of cease-fire negotiations being mediated by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar, though it has yet to comment on the issue.
Israel hasn’t taken responsibility for the strike, though it vowed to kill all of Hamas’ leaders over the Oct. 7 attacks.
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