Gaza: flashpoint for regional war?

As Israel intensifies air-strikes in the Gaza Strip, a northern front appears to be opening in the war.  Escalating cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces have led to the displacement of over 4,200 people in south Lebanon, and authorities have designated some 100 kilometers of the border with Israel a military zone. Inhabitants pf the border region have retreated deeper into Lebanese territory to avoid entanglement in the ongoing skirmishes. In the southern port city of Tyre, authorities have converted three school facilities into makeshift refuges for the displaced. (Jurist)

Israel has meanwhile ordered more than 20,000 residents of the northern city of Kiryat Shmona to evacuate in response to Hezbollah rocket fire from Lebanese territory. (Jurist)

Following several drone strikes on US military bases and outposts in Iraq and Syria over the past days, injuring several service members, the US carried out air-strikes on Iranian Revolutionary Guards positions in eastern Syria Oct. 26. (Military Times, ABC)

The drone strikes came after Israeli forces struck targets in Syria last week. The Israeli strikes reportedly hit the Damascus and Aleppo airports, but Iranian-aligned forces were presumably targeted.

The Pentagon also confirmed Oct. 19 that the destroyer USS Carney in the Red Sea intercepted multiple missiles fired north toward Israel, presumably by Houthi insurgents in Yemen. (Military Times)

Amid all this, the Iranian military announced that it will launch large-scale maneuvers this week, involving infantry, air and naval forces. (Maan News Agency)