The conflict between Israel and Hamas is spreading to many parts of the Middle East at an unprecedented rate.
Al Jazeera and AFP confirmed on September 11th that, over the 72 hours that day, Israel’s military apparatus operated at full speed, dragging six countries, from Gaza to Lebanon, from Syria to Yemen, and finally Qatar, into the conflict. A regional reckoning, centered on decapitation and deterrence, is quietly unfolding, raising questions about the complex political motives and regional strategic intentions behind it.
Gaza Continues to Be Bombed
Since September 8th, Israel’s intensified military offensive against Gaza has resulted in at least 150 deaths and over 540 injuries. On Monday alone, 67 people were killed and 320 were injured, including 14 civilians who perished while seeking aid. Six people, including two children, also died in Gaza as a direct result of famine.
On September 9th, 83 people were killed and 223 were injured in Gaza. In Gaza City, Israeli bombardments have destroyed high-rise buildings and infrastructure, forcing countless residents to flee their homes.
The latest news indicates that since the conflict began in October 2023, the war has killed at least 64,656 people, including 404 deaths from starvation.
Israeli Airstrikes in Lebanon
At 1:00 PM on September 8, Israeli warplanes bombed the Bekaa and Hermel regions of eastern Lebanon, killing at least five people. The Israeli military claimed the targets were weapons depots and military facilities used by Hezbollah, but this claim has not been independently verified, and Hezbollah has not yet responded.
Although the two sides signed a ceasefire agreement last November, Israel has carried out near-daily attacks on Lebanese territory, particularly in the south, and has maintained its occupation of five border posts, violating the withdrawal clause in the ceasefire.
On September 9, an Israeli drone also attacked the entrance to the village of Barja, approximately 30 kilometers south of Beirut, injuring a Hezbollah member.
Syria Under Attack Again
Late in the evening of September 8th, Israeli warplanes launched strikes on multiple targets in Syria, bombing an air base in Homs and a military camp near Latakia. Loud explosions were heard at the scene, and residents of Homs witnessed a large number of ambulances rushing to the scene.
While no specific casualty figures have been released yet, the Syrian Foreign Ministry quickly condemned the attack, calling it a “blatant violation of sovereignty” and a “direct threat” to national and regional security.
Since the ouster of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Israel has launched hundreds of attacks in Syria. Syria’s ongoing internal and regional political changes have created conditions for external military intervention. The Latest Press has learned that Israel has carried out nearly 100 attacks in Syria this year, including 86 airstrikes and 11 ground offensives, destroying approximately 135 targets and killing 61 people.
Israel has also expanded its occupation of the Golan Heights and encroached upon the demilitarized buffer zone established in the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria.
Humanitarian Boat Attacked off Tunisian coast
On the evening of September 8, the Global Resilient Fleet (GSF) flagship, the Family, docked at the Tunisian port of Sidi Bou Said, was attacked by a suspected Israeli drone, causing a fire.
The 23-meter-long vessel, flying the Portuguese flag, was carrying members of the fleet’s core committee and six crew members. The fire destroyed the main deck and some storage areas, but all on board are safe.
On the evening of September 9, another British-flagged vessel, the Alma, was also attacked in Tunisian waters. Although the fire was quickly contained, damage to the upper deck remained.
A recent report indicates that since 2010, several convoys have attempted to break through the Israeli blockade, but most have been intercepted or attacked in international waters.
Qatar Under Airstrike
On September 9, Israel launched a precision airstrike on a Hamas leadership stronghold in Doha, Qatar. Hamas leaders were gathering there to discuss a US-proposed ceasefire in Gaza.
The raid killed six people, including the son of senior Hamas leader Khalil Haya, her office director, three bodyguards, and a Qatari security officer. According to Al Jazeera, Hamas’s core leadership narrowly escaped the attack. The attack was not only aimed at military targets but also clearly aimed at political deterrence and pressure for negotiations.
Israel Launches Airstrike on Yemen’s Capital
On September 10, Israel launched airstrikes on the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, targeting Houthi strongholds. The attack hit Sana’a Airport, the second such attack in a month.
On May 6 of this year, an Israeli airstrike destroyed the airport terminal and severely damaged the runway. Just on August 28th, Israel attacked a Houthi government meeting in Sana’a, killing Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahwi and several senior officials.
A review of the attacks in multiple countries reveals the close interweaving of military operations and political strategies. Whether targeted killings, cross-border strikes, or regional deterrence, they all reflect the complex political dynamics and strategic calculations at play in the current Middle East situation. As military action escalates, a political solution appears to be fading further.
