Major Garrett (00:00):
Today's attack comes amid growing fears of an all out war in the Middle East with Iran and its proxies threatening to strike back against Israel for the recent assassinations of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. The US is beefing up its military presence in the region, sending additional warships and fighter jets. (00:18) CBS' Debora Patta is in East Jerusalem.
Debora Patta (00:22): The war drums are getting louder. Following Ismail Haniyeh's assassination Tehran says Israel must be punished for what it calls its cowardly attack on Iranian soil. Both Israel and Iran say they don't want this to escalate, but nobody wants to be the first to take a step back. Former Israeli diplomat to the US, Alon Pinkas.
Alon Pinkas (00:48): And most worrying is a coordinated the so-called 360 degree attack. Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran from the east, the Houthis in western Yemen from the South, Hamas in both the Gaza and the West Bank, so Israel will be encircled.
Debora Patta (01:07): And where does America sit in all of us? And what should they be doing?
Alon Pinkas (01:10): The last thing that America wants is a scenario in which they are dragged into the conflict.
Debora Patta (01:17): US General Michael Kurilla helped coordinate the defense of Israel during the Iranian attack in April when more than 300 missiles and drones were fired and was back here today meeting with Israel's Defense Minister. The US still believes the best way to prevent this from spiraling out of control is a ceasefire in Gaza. (01:42) In weekend protests, families and friends of hostages accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of choosing escalation over a deal. As the world's attention is focused on Iran, in Gaza they count their dead every day. The remains of more than 80 Palestinians were returned today after Israel took some of the bodies to check if any hostages were among them. These are the nameless dead, waiting for loved ones to claim them. (02:16) There are high levels of anxiety here, but for many Israelis, life simply goes on. There's still an all-out effort internationally to prevent this from escalating, but one mistake could be lethal. Major.
Major Garrett (02:30): Deborah Pata, thank you.