Israel “launched attacks” on targets in Syria and Iran

Context

Recently the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East deepened as Israel “launched attacks” on targets in Syria and Iran.

Key Highlights

• Israel’s recent strike follows Iran’s retaliatory drone and missile assault on Israel after it blamed Tel Aviv for an airstrike on the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus on April 1.
• For context, Israel has accused Iran of assisting the Palestinian Hamas militant group which carried out the October 7 assault on the Jewish state and triggered months of Israeli invasion and offensive in Gaza.

What are the Ground Reports from Iran and What the US is Saying?

• Though Israel did not verify the strike, an Iranian reliable source stated that three drones over the principal metropolis of Isfahan were shot down and that there aren’t any reports of a missile attack for now.
• Several flights, which includes the ones of Emirates and FlyDubai, have been diverted around western Iran.
• A US reputable had confirmed the strike and said that the retaliation might be limited in scope and that nuclear and civilian locations had been genuinely not the various objectives.
• According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), there was no damage to Iran’s nuclear websites in an alleged attack by Israel on Iran.

Israel Strikes Syria Too

• Israel carried out a missile strike in Syria too. The country-run SANA news organization, quoting a military assertion, stated that Tel Aviv targeted an air protection unit in its south and caused material damage.
• That area of Syria is immediately west of Isfahan (Iran), some 1,500 kilometers away, and east of Israel.

Countries Issues Advisory for their Citizens

• The US Embassy in Jerusalem restrained US government employees from travel outside Jerusalem, greater Tel Aviv and Beersheba.
• Australia asks citizens to evacuate from Israel, as there’s a high risk of military reprisals and terrorist assaults against Israel and Israeli interests throughout the region.
  • The Indian Ministry of External Affairs suggested all Indians no longer journey to Iran or Israel till further notice.
• All those who are currently living in Iran or Israel are requested to get in contact with Indian Embassies there and sign up themselves.

What Needs to be Done to Deescalate Confrontation in the Middle East?

• It is imperative that coordinated global motion be taken to stop such an escalation in light of its grave outcomes on the region and the globe.
• The United States, Russia, China, and the European Union – all with sizable strategic pastimes and influence in the region- have to prioritise diplomacy and collective action.
• The goal needs to be not only crisis management but the establishment of a durable framework for peace that addresses the core issues driving hostility and competition in the region.
• The huge and powerful countries, frequently seen as competition vying for dominance, want to understand that in a globalised global, balance in one region contributes to international stability.
• Additionally, the role of global corporations just like the United Nations in facilitating dialogue and negotiations is crucial.
• However, the UN’s effectiveness rests on the cohesion and cooperation of its member states, specially the Security Council’s everlasting contributors.
  • Therefore, they ought to overcome their rivalries to prevent the catastrophic loss of regional cohesion that might result from a war.

Source: Indian Express

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q.India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back. Discuss. (2018)

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