Pope Francis called on everyone in the world to pray and fast on October 7, as a mark of respect for the people killed in the Hamas offensive last year.
In a post on X, Pope Francis said, “On October 7, I ask everyone to take part in a day of prayer and fasting for peace in the world. Pray together.”
While the escalations in the Middle East have increased the risk of an all-out war between Israel, Iran, and Lebanon, the world community is closely following the developments taking place in the region.
Iran on Tuesday launched over 150 missiles, including ballistic ones, at Israel, while the majority of these missiles were destroyed in mid-air before reaching the intended target.
However, some of the missiles did manage to land inside Israel, although no significant loss of life or property was reported after the attack.
The Iranian side reiterated that the attack was not intended to harm civilians but rather a warning to Israel over its continuous assault in Gaza and Rafah.
Officials in Iran claimed that their missiles did manage to destroy the Israeli airstrip and the US made bomber planes in the attack, a claim contested by both the international community and Israel.
On the other hand, the Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu said after the attack that “Israel would respond to the attacks by more aggressive means.”
Netanyahu's government is under constant pressure from the international community, which is demanding a ceasefire in Gaza. At the same time, the internal cabinet of the far right Israeli ministers has threatened to exit the alliance if Netanyahu halts its ongoing invasion in Gaza and recent offensive in Lebanon.
The situation is further complicated by the internal dissent and protests by the families of those taken hostage on October 7.
With Netanyahu threatening to respond to Iran’s Tuesday attack with more aggressive means, the Iranian government has sent a clear ultimatum to Israel and its allies in the region that if Israel seeks any misadventure, Tehran will also retaliate with more aggression.
Soon after the attack, in a post on X, the IDF said, “Watch as Iranian missiles rain over the Old City in Jerusalem, a holy site for Muslims, Christians, and Jews. This is the target of the Iranian regime: everyone.”
Meanwhile, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson, RAdm. Daniel Hagari, described Iran’s attack as a “severe and dangerous escalation.”
“There will be consequences. We will respond wherever, whenever, and however we choose, following the directive of the government of Israel,” said Hagari regarding Iran’s large-scale attack.
World leaders, including the regional Arab leaders, have continuously sought to de-escalate the brewing tensions in the already war-torn Middle East.
Experts have warned that if the war between Iran and Israel ensues, it will lead to a devastating impact on the entire region, and especially global trade routes will be severely affected as a result.
The geopolitical experts suggest that the confrontations will lead to an increase in crude oil prices, which will severely affect the Asian bloc, including India and China, which are currently witnessing an upsurge in economic activities.
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