Attack in Iran, expected response from Hezbollah: should we fear a flare-up of the Israel-Hamas conflict ?

La double explosion a tué plus de 100 personnes, ce mercredi 3 janvier, dans le Sud de l'Iran. MAXPPP – TASNIM NEWS AGENCY

24 hours after the assassination by Israel of the No. 2 of Hamas in Lebanon, explosions left more than 100 dead in the south of Iran. Hezbollah delays its official response but could go to war.

Does the assassination of Saleh al Arouri, Hamas number two, on Tuesday near Beirut, mark a tipping point in the conflict between Israel and Hamas ? Even if the IDF did not claim responsibility, this strike is attributed to an Israeli plane. Many experts fear an extension of the conflict to the entire region.

Also read: Death of Hamas number 2 during a strike in Lebanon: an Israeli attack in Beirut kills six people

Fear fueled by the terrible attack, a double explosion, which left at least 103 dead and 170 injured, this Wednesday in Kerman, in the south-east of Iran. The tragedy took place during a ceremony marking the fourth anniversary of the death of the former head of the Revolutionary Guards' elite Al Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani.

The Israeli army ready "for any scenario"

"The explosions were caused by terrorist attacks,” a local official was quoted as saying by state media.

Israeli forces intensified their bombings on the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. Israeli military spokesperson said the IDF was focused on its goal of eliminating Hamas and was prepared for “any scenario.” ; after the death of Al Arouri.

Israel accused him of having orchestrated attacks in the occupied West Bank. According to a Hamas official, he was also "at the heart of the negotiations" led by Qatar and Egypt on the outcome of the war and the release of detained Israeli hostages by Hamas.

Hassan Nasrallah: "This crime will not go unpunished"

In this context, the leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, delivered a highly anticipated speech on Wednesday in Beirut. The Shiite Islamist group, subservient to Iran, was in fact challenged in its Lebanese stronghold by the attack against Hamas number 2.

Speech by Hassan Nasrallah, at Hezbollah in Lebanon. MAXPPP – WAEL HAMZEH

"The resistance organizations act independently of each other, each in its country according to its interests and those of its population, he declared according to the L’Orient-Le Jour website. Israel has totally failed morally and holds the title of the largest genocide in modern history. Hassan Nasrallah once again assured that "The crime of ;yesterday will not go unpunished" but he delayed a more precise announcement until later: "I will speak on Friday during a commemoration. I will discuss some current topics there.

The UN mission "very concerned"

"We tell the criminal occupation (Israel) that the battle between us is open", declared for his part, Hossam Badran, member of the Hamas political bureau, in his eulogy to Saleh al Arouri.

Hezbollah, a heavily armed Hamas ally, has exchanged almost daily fire with Israel on Lebanon's southern border since the start of the war in the Gaza Strip. More than 100 Hezbollah fighters and around twenty civilians were killed on Lebanese territory, as well as at least nine Israeli soldiers in Israel.

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon has expressed deep concern about the possibility of an escalation in the country "which could have devastating consequences for the populations on both sides of the border.