**Escalating Tensions in the Middle East as Israel and Hezbollah Exchange Blows**

Amid rising fears of heightened conflict in the Middle East, Israel continues its intensive bombing campaign in Lebanon, following the death of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stark warning to Iran, Hezbollah's primary backer, suggesting that it too could become a target. In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed retaliation for Nasrallah’s killing, declaring that the act "shall not go unavenged."

Netanyahu, on Saturday, stressed Israel's readiness to strike back against any aggressors. "Those who strike at us, we will strike at them," he declared. He further emphasized that there is no place in Iran or the Middle East out of Israel's reach. "Today you know how true that is," Netanyahu added.

Hassan Nasrallah, who had led the Lebanon-based Hezbollah since 1992, was killed during an extensive Israeli airstrike on Friday. The same attack also claimed the life of Abbas Nilforoushan, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's deputy commander in Beirut. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded on Sunday, asserting that this "horrible crime committed by the Zionist regime [Israel] will not go unanswered," according to a report by Reuters.

As Israel persisted with its airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced another significant casualty—Hezbollah leader Nabil Qaouk, killed in a bombing on Saturday. In the face of these developments, Western leaders have urgently called for a cease-fire while preparing for potentially worse outcomes. Josep Borrell, the European Union's chief diplomat, noted on Saturday that the region risks descending into a "full-blown war" and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

While U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed Nasrallah's killing as "a measure of justice," he expressed concerns over the potential for a wider conflict. On Saturday, Biden stated that he had instructed the Pentagon to amplify the defense posture of U.S. military forces in the Middle East to deter aggression and mitigate the risk of a broader regional war. Privately, Biden has reportedly conveyed doubts over Netanyahu's willingness to cease hostilities with Hezbollah.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot traveled to Lebanon on Sunday to engage with local authorities and pledge French support for the Lebanese populace, including through humanitarian aid. Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned against Lebanon turning into another Gaza, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

In the meantime, Israel remains on high alert for possible retaliatory actions following Nasrallah's death. Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf indicated on Sunday that militant groups across the Middle East, including Hezbollah, "will not hesitate to go to any level" to confront Israel.