By Athena Papakosta

The continued escalation of tension on the Israel-Lebanese border between the Israeli army and Hezbollah is heightening concerns that this could escalate into a second front of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

But at the same time, tension is rising in the wider region where the so-called “Axis of Resistance” operates, which is backed by Iran and supports Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and other paramilitary organizations in Iraq and Syria.

Confirming that the scope of the Israel-Hamas conflict is widening, the Houthi for the first time since the start of the war they confirmed yesterday that they launched ballistic missiles and drones from Yemen against Israel warning that this is only the beginning as they announced that there will be more such attacks “to help the Palestinians win” .

At the same time, the United States of America has confirmed that its forces in Syria and Iraq have received at least 23 attacks since mid-October, blaming them on Iran-backed organizations. US officials have repeatedly warned Tehran not to attempt escalation.

For his part, the president of Iran, Ebrahim Raishi, last Sunday, underlined that “Washington asked us not to do anything, but they continue to provide broad support to Israel” clarifying that “the crimes of the Zionist regime crossed the red lines lines something that could spur everyone else into action.”

Right now, all eyes are on Lebanon and Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallahwho on Friday at 3 in the afternoon, immediately after the prayer and while the Secretary of State of the United States, Anthony Blinken will be in Israel again, is expected to deliver a speech.

It will be his first public speech since the start of the war. In one of the filmed and highly staged videos, the leader of Lebanon’s pro-Iranian Shia organization has removed his religious ring and taken off his reading glasses, while in a second we see him preparing his speech.

It was preceded by his meeting with the head of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Ziad al-Nakala, and the deputy leader of Hamas, Saleh al-Aruri, during which, according to the Reuters news agency, the three assessed the next steps of the “resistance” to be taken. to follow to “achieve real victory” in Gaza. However, three 24 hours ago the senior official of Hamas’ political wing, Ghazi Hamad, speaking to the Associated Press news agency, said that the Islamist Palestinian group Hamas expected more from its allies, including Hezbollah.

The million dollar question of whether the Shiite organization will get involved in the war and spread tension in the wider Middle East remains. After all, as analysts note, after Hezbollah’s last major conflict with Israel in 2006, at this moment, the risk of its involvement is greater than ever.

He has already warned of an earthquake when Israel carries out its ground operation and today the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) remain for the 5th 24 hours inside the Gaza Strip as fighting continues.