Iran-Israel, possible retaliation on the “saddest day in the Jewish calendar” –

Iran is planning to launch drones from Syria toward Israel as part of a threatened retaliatory strike to avenge the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh. Citing unnamed sources, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that the drones could be launched from areas near Damascus and the Syrian desert, to appear to be launched by Iranian-backed militia groups in Iraq. The pro-Iranian groups have also reportedly ordered that they target American military bases only if the US is involved in Israel’s defense during the attack.

Western intelligence sources have spoken in the last few hours of the possibility that Iran and Hezbollah will choose “the saddest day in the Jewish calendar” to respond to Israel’s series of assassinations: “Tisha B’Av”, or the anniversary of the “Destruction of the Temple”, which falls on August 12 or 13. “The United States is preparing to send additional fighter jets to the Middle East in response to threats. The Israeli army and air force are ready to defend but also to attack”, reported the Israeli TV Channel 12. Meanwhile, the Houthis of Yemen are promising a “military response” to the “dangerous escalation” provoked by Israel.