The Middle East war that broke out in October 2023 when Hamas, an armed Palestinian group, attacked Israel, has been ongoing for six months.

There have been reports that Iran, the sponsor of Hamas, will directly attack Israel sometime this week.

Iran has refrained from direct conflict with Israel since the war began. However, after Israel bombed the Iranian consulate in Damascus, the Syrian capital, on the 1st, killing about 13 people, Iran is believed to have decided to directly attack Israel in retaliation.

The predicted time of the attack is said to be "the Night of Power" during Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. The Night of Power falls on one of the odd-numbered nights within the last ten days of Ramadan, so it is expected to be around ten days before or after.

The United States has also been informed of the impending Iranian attack and has reportedly put its forces on high alert. Israel has also issued a state of emergency to its entire military, and the international community is once again caught up in the war.

■ Will Iran inflict maximum damage on Israel?

Following news of Iran's direct attack on Israel, pro-Iran Houthi rebels are believed to be ready to join Iran in attacking Israel.

On the 6th, during the funeral ceremony of Revolutionary Guard commander Mohammad Reza Zahedi in Isfahan, central Iran, Mohammad Bagheri, the Iranian Chief of Staff, stated his intention to "inflict the most severe damage on Israel".

He added that the time and method of the attack would be their decision and that they would make the enemy regret what they did.

The United States has also reported that a large-scale Iranian attack is expected sometime this week and is preparing its military facilities in the Middle East region.

Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shia militant group supported by Iran, is also expected to launch a major offensive along with pro-Iranian militias in Syria and Iraq.

■ Escalation to US-Iran conflict after half a year of war?

If Iran's direct attack on Israel becomes a reality, it is expected to lead to a conflict between the United States and Iran.

Iran's Chief of Staff claimed that the United States was involved in the Damascus attack on the 1st and asserted that the United States should also bear responsibility.

In response, the Iranian Presidential Office stated that the United States should back down if it doesn't want to be attacked. It seems they are prepared to directly attack facilities related to the United States if the United States sides with Israel.

Israel, aware of the gravity of the situation, has canceled military leave, mobilized additional reserve forces for air defense operations, and is taking full measures in preparation for war.

The Israeli Prime Minister also warned of a strong response, stating that "we will strike first those who seek to harm us".

Some predict that US President Joe Biden, facing the upcoming November presidential election, will not want an escalation of the conflict, considering public opinion.

According to British media, Iran does not have the capacity for a full-scale war and that the attack will be a propaganda exercise to outwardly address the humiliation suffered from Israel and restore its damaged reputation.

Over the past six months, the Middle East war has resulted in the deaths of over 33,000 Palestinian civilians. The Israeli army reported the deaths of approximately 600 soldiers.

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