Tehran/Tel Aviv. Iran fired 180 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday night. The Israeli Defense Force said that the attack was targeted at the Mossad Headquarters, Nevatim Air Base and Tel Nof Air Base. Most of Iran’s missiles were destroyed by Israel’s defense system. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has said that the attack was carried out in response to the deaths of Hamas Chief Ismail Haniya, Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Abbas Nilforoshan. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claims that three Israeli military bases in Tel Aviv have also been attacked. Due to this, the war in the Middle East is becoming more dangerous. Israel is fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, Iran and Houthis in Yemen.
After the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iran has made a big mistake and it will have to face the consequences. Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said that Iran will be responded to by choosing the right time and right place. Whereas, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant says that Iran has not learned any lesson. Whoever attacks Israel has to pay a heavy price. This was Iran’s second attack on Israel this year. Earlier in April also, Iran had attacked Israel. However, for now the attacks have stopped. But Iran has many pawns in many countries of the Middle East, which can increase Israel’s tension.
Where are Iran’s allies?
Gaza Strip: Hamas, formed in 1987, has been declared a terrorist organization by many countries including Israel and America. Ismail Haniya was its leader, who was killed by Israel in July. Hamas has dominated the Gaza Strip since 2007. Iran supports Hamas the most. Hamas receives most of its funding from Iran. Apart from Hamas, an organization named Palestinian Islamic Jihad is also active in Gaza Strip. It is the second largest organization after Hamas. This organization, formed in 1970, also has the support of Iran.
West Bank: The West Bank is the second part of Palestine situated on the eastern border of Israel. Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad are also active in the West Bank. Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters have been attacking Israel from the Gaza Strip as well as the West Bank.
Lebanon: Hezbollah is active here. This organization was formed by the Revolutionary Guards of Iran in 1982. Many countries have also declared Hezbollah a terrorist organization. Its objective was to spread the Islamic revolution in Iran to other countries and to raise a front against the Israeli army in Lebanon. Hezbollah is supporting Hamas in this war against Israel. In 2006 also, Hezbollah fought a 35-day war with Israel. 158 Israeli citizens were killed in this.
Iraq: There are many extremist organizations here too, which Iran supports. There is an organization in Iraq called Popular Mobilization Forces, which has more than 2 lakh fighters. There is also the Badr Organization which was created by Iranian Intelligence during the Iran-Iraq War. Apart from these two, there is also an organization named Asaib Ahl al-Haq. Badr and Asaib Ahl al-Haq claim to have 15 to 30 thousand fighters.
Syria: Fatemi Brigade, an organization of Afghan refugees in Iran. It was made against the Syrian government. Shia Pakistanis had formed an organization named Zainabi Brigade to fight in Syria. There is also an organization called Quwat al-Ridha, whose fighters have been trained by Hezbollah. There is also Bakir Brigade, which has the full support of Dhadkrashtra. All these organizations have thousands of fighters.
Yemen: Houthi rebels are active here, which is an organization of Shia Zaidi community. Houthi rebels fight against Israel and the US. Hussein al-Houthi created this organization in the nineties. Yemen’s Houthi rebels have received support from Iran. Houthi rebels are also politically strong in Yemen. Houthi has more than 30 thousand fighters.
Bahrain: An organization named Al-Ashtar Brigade is active here. With the help of Iran, this organization fights against the Bahraini government. This organization was formed in 2013. Al-Ashtar Brigade not only receives funding from Iran, but also weapons and explosives. The al-Ashtar Brigade has also received support from Hezbollah.
Will respond to Israel through proxy war
Israel and Iran have been engaged in a shadow war with each other for a long time. Both have often been attacking each other without taking responsibility. But Hamas’ war has also made Iran an arena of war. Relations between Israel and Iran have deteriorated further after the war with Hamas started. Iran has often denied that it had prior knowledge of the Hamas attack on October 7. Whereas, Israel has accused Iran of supporting Hamas. Not only Hamas, Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthi rebels also have the support of Iran. Many extremist organizations in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza Strip are supported by Iran, which is known as a proxy. If tension increases, Iran may increase proxy war against Israel.