Hamas has urged people in Gaza to stay in their homes even though the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have told them to leave.
Meanwhile, something unusual is happening at the border between Lebanon and Israel – it’s very quiet after several days of fighting. This border is usually a place where tensions run high and conflicts can start.
But after Hamas launched attacks on Israel on October 7, this area, which had been relatively calm since the 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon, is suddenly full of uncertainty.
The concern is that if a conflict breaks out here, it could make the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel even more dangerous. That’s because it might involve Hezbollah, a powerful group backed by Iran.
Hezbollah has been openly supporting the Palestinian militants and condemning Israel’s airstrikes on Gaza. The situation is grim, with over 1,300 people killed in Hamas attacks on Israel and more than 1,500 people killed by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza since Saturday.
The big question is whether Hezbollah will join this conflict. So far, they’ve said they will only attack Israel if their territory or fighters are attacked. Despite the increasing tension, they’ve stuck to this rule, but the region is still very unstable. The quiet at the Lebanon-Israel border might be misleading, as the tensions and possible consequences continue to simmer.