Days after the chopped crash of President Ebrahim Raisi, Iranian proxy Hamas launched a massive rocket attack on the Israeli capital, Tel Aviv. At least eight rockets were launched from the Rafah area in southern Gaza, the Israeli military said, adding that many were intercepted.

Sirens also sounded in other Israeli cities and towns, including Herzliya and Petah Tikva. The military wing of Hamas, the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, announced the attack on its Telegram channel.

This attack shows that even after 228 days of war, Hamas still has the capability of attacking Israel. When that first barrage came over, no one believed that it was by Hamas. Everyone thought, “OK, this is Hezbollah attacking us from Lebanon” because they thought the capability of Hamas had been destroyed, Al Jazeera reported. That’s going to be a major concern for the Israeli military and Benjamin Netanyahu. It’s going to be seen as a failure of the Israeli army.

Earlier, Iran had ruled out any foreign hand in its president’s helicopter crash. An investigating team acquired considerable evidence regarding the causes of the crash, which confirmed that the helicopter had stayed on its predetermined route and had not deviated.

The investigation stated that the pilot of the chopper communicated with the other two aircraft in the President’s convoy 15 minutes before the accident. The helicopter later crashed into the mountain and instantly caught fire on impact.

The report also mentioned that the review of the wreckage disclosed that there were no gunshots and no evidence of any external element in the fatal crash. That clearly rules out the suspicion that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was assassinated.

However, Hamas attacking Israel days after Raisi’s death is intriguing. It could also hinder the upcoming ceasefire talks and give the Jewish nation another reason to continue their military operations.

The Roots Of Tensions Between Iran & Israel

The Middle East is a region rife with complex political, religious, and strategic conflicts, among which the tensions between Iran and Israel stand out as particularly significant. These two nations have been at odds for decades, with their animosity rooted in a mixture of ideological, geopolitical, and historical factors.

The conflict’s origins can be traced back to the mid-20th century. Initially, Iran and Israel enjoyed relatively friendly relations. Iran, under the rule of the Shah, recognized Israel shortly after its establishment in 1948 and maintained diplomatic ties.

However, this relationship changed dramatically following the Iranian Revolution of 1979, which brought Ayatollah Khomeini to power and established the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Khomeini’s regime adopted a vehemently anti-Israel stance, branding Israel as an illegitimate “Zionist regime” and a key enemy of Islam. This ideological shift laid the groundwork for the enduring hostility between the two nations.

A significant driver of the tension is the profound ideological divide between Iran and Israel. Iran’s theocratic government is based on Shia Islamic principles and seeks to lead the Muslim world.

In contrast, Israel is a Jewish state with a secular government structure. Iran’s leadership often frames its opposition to Israel in religious terms, calling for the liberation of Palestine and the end of Israeli occupation.

This ideological conflict is not merely rhetorical; it translates into tangible support for groups opposed to Israel. Iran provides financial, military, and logistical support to Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, both of which are committed to Israel’s destruction. This support fuels ongoing conflicts along Israel’s borders and heightens the sense of threat felt by Israel.

Beyond ideological differences, Iran and Israel are engaged in a broader geopolitical rivalry. Iran seeks to expand its influence across the Middle East, often positioning itself against U.S. allies, including Israel. Tehran’s ambitions are evident in its involvement in various regional conflicts, such as in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, where it supports Shia militias and other proxy groups.

Israel, on the other hand, aims to counter Iranian influence to maintain its security and regional stability. This has led Israel to undertake covert operations and military strikes against Iranian targets in Syria and other locations to disrupt Iran’s supply lines to Hezbollah and other militant groups.

A major flashpoint in the Iran-Israel tension is Iran’s nuclear program. Israel views the potential of a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat. Despite Iran’s claims that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, Israel, along with many in the international community, fears that Tehran seeks to develop nuclear weapons.

Israel has taken a proactive stance against Iran’s nuclear ambitions, engaging in diplomatic efforts to impose stringent sanctions on Iran and conducting cyber operations to sabotage Iranian nuclear facilities.

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The international response to Iran’s nuclear program has also contributed to tensions. Israel has lobbied extensively for economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation of Iran. These efforts culminated in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an agreement between Iran and six world powers to limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities in exchange for sanction relief. Israel vehemently opposed the JCPOA, arguing that it did not sufficiently prevent Iran from eventually acquiring nuclear weapons.

The U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018, under the Trump administration, and the subsequent “maximum pressure” campaign of renewed sanctions against Iran further exacerbated the situation. Iran’s retaliatory actions, including resuming uranium enrichment, heightened regional tensions and brought Iran and Israel closer to direct confrontation.

The Iran-Israel conflict also plays out through proxy warfare and shifting regional alliances. Iran’s support for groups like Hezbollah and its involvement in the Syrian civil war has brought Iranian forces closer to Israel’s borders. Israel, in response, has formed closer ties with Sunni Arab states, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who share its concerns about Iranian expansionism.

The Abraham Accords, brokered by the U.S. in 2020, normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states. These new alliances were partly motivated by a mutual desire to counter Iranian influence. They represent a significant shift in the Middle Eastern geopolitical landscape and further isolate Iran.

However, the Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy in Damascus brought both nations to the brink of war. Iran, for the very first time, launched massive strikes on Israel directly from its soil. Israel responded with restrained counterattacks, and the situation de-escalated.