Closing summary
This blog is now closing. Thank you for following along. Below is a roundup of today’s stories:
Only a ceasefire deal in Gaza stemming from hoped-for talks this week would hold Iran back from direct retaliation against Israel for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on its soil, three senior Iranian officials have told Reuters. A ceasefire in Gaza would give Iran cover for a smaller “symbolic” response, one of the sources said.
Iran’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that calls for restraint regarding Israel from France, Germany and the United Kingdom “lack political logic and contradict principles of international law”. Iran’s president told Britain’s prime minister that Tehran considers retaliation against Israel over the July killing of Ismail Haniyeh a right, and a way to discourage future aggression.
Hamas’ said on Tuesday it targeted the Israeli city of Tel Aviv and its suburbs with two “M90” rockets. Explosions were heard in Tel Aviv but there were no reports of casualties, Israeli media reported.
An attack from Iran or its proxies on Israel could be “this week”, according to the White House, mirroring statements from the Israeli government which said a strike was increasingly likely. “We have to be prepared for what could be a significant set of attacks,” White House national security adviser John Kirby said on Monday, adding “which is why we have increased our force posture and capabilities in the region even in just the last few days.”
Explosions heard in Tel Aviv as Hamas says it targeted city with rockets
Hamas’ said on Tuesday it targeted the Israeli city of Tel Aviv and its suburbs with two “M90” rockets, Reuters reports.
Explosions were heard in Tel Aviv but there were no reports of casualties, Israeli media reported.
