Iran plans retaliation against Israel on a symbolic holiday
According to information from Sky News Arabia, based on Western intelligence sources, Iran plans to attack Israel in retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. They even provided an approximate date.
The attack would take place during the Jewish holiday of Tisha B'Av, which this year falls from sunset on August 12 to sunset on August 13. The operation would be synchronized with the actions of the Lebanese Hezbollah, supported by Iran, the portal reported.
The symbolism of Tisha B'Av
Tisha B'Av is a holiday commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, and its observance involves fasting and repentance. An attack on this day would have psychological and emotional impacts, noted the Jerusalem Post.
The newspaper recalled that in the past, attacks by Israel's opponents have also taken place on important days for Judaism. Examples include the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, during Simchat Torah, which closes the holiday of Sukkot, and the attack by a coalition of Arab states on Israel in 1973 during Yom Kippur.
Current tensions in the Middle East
The current situation in the Middle East is the most tense it has been in months, threatening further escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran and its allies: the Palestinian Hamas, Lebanese Hezbollah, and the Yemeni Houthi movement. On Tuesday, an Israeli attack on Beirut killed Hezbollah's military leader, Fuad Shukr, and on Wednesday, an attack on Tehran, also presumably by Israel, killed Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh. Both Iranian and Hezbollah, as well as Hamas leaders, have vowed revenge.
Declarations of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard
Revenge for Haniyeh's killing will be "severe and occur at the appropriate place and time," emphasized a Saturday statement from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. The United States is calling for de-escalation and the finalization of talks regarding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip conflict.
