I don't fancy hearing about the chances of a Third World War breaking out in some random Instagram story, but that is what happened. We live in a world of frivolous predictions. But then, social media can make bad things worse. I just shrugged my shoulders and went on to Twitter-turned-X to find 'World War 3' actually trending with a hashtag.

After taking a deep breath, all I can say is that what we have just had is not the start of a new world war but one of the biggest screw-ups in diplomatic history.

By striking an Israeli ship and then launching a swarm of drone bombs on Israeli territory, the clerics and their fellow power-wielders in Tehran may have won some headlines that speak of revenge after an Israeli attack on an Iranian diplomatic consulate building in Damascus on April 1 that killed a commander and seven officers of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). But a simplistic retaliation is not quite an act of meaningful revenge. What we have had so far is Tel Aviv fending the drones off with its "Iron Dome" defence. Such stuff may have visual appeal for the odd video or social media memes, but we need to look deeper to see the implications and the impact of what Iran has done.

The simple fact is that for all practical purposes, Iran is ploughing a lonely furrow in trying to be the loud guardian of Palestinian people. There is no doubt that Israel's savage war against Palestinians in the aftermath of the Hamas attack on its people last October has caused an unspeakable human tragedy. The diplomatic pussyfooting by the so-called world powers in the aftermath is nothing if not a conspiracy of drift. We have not even got a real, temporary ceasefire yet while children are killed, hospitals are bombed, civilians are targeted and whole cities being razed to the ground in Gaza.

There is little doubt that Hamas has been acting in tandem with or as an agent for Iran's Shia Islamist regime. But discretion is not part of Iran's revolutionary valour. It likes to unfriend old pals and make new adversaries all the time. Since fighting a war with deposed president Saddam Hussein's Iraq in the 1980s, it has offended Saudi Arabia with its support for Houthi rebels in Yemen, and this year even launched cross-border attacks against rebels in Pakistan's Balochistan region.

Last January, Islamic State terrorists killed more than 80 people near the grave of General Qassem Soleimani on the fourth anniversary of his death in a US drone strike. Soleimani was a sworn enemy of the Sunni-Salafi-Jihadist Islamic State whose war on the Shia Islamists of Tehran is only one of the many twisted sub-plots in the Muslim world's checkered history of little and big enmities.

The best thing going for Iran so far (if one might call it that) is that China and Russia love anybody doing anti-US acts and therefore keep their diplomatic silence loud. But that is hardly what the doctor ordered for suffering Palestinians, whose basic survival is at stake. All talk of a two-state solution that would help the rise of a Palestinian state is but a desert mirage, an elusive dream and a theoretical prospect best left to television studio panels.

The ground reality suggests that Iran has only worsened the case for Palestinians. I am tempted to compare Israel's Damascus attack as one resembling the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai by Pakistan-based terrorists in 2008. What India did after that was not a simplistic military retaliation but an elaborate diplomatic counter-offensive. Armed with dossiers and evidence, it built up a case for Pakistan as a state that harbours terrorists. It won sympathy and diplomatic support across the world of a lasting kind that isolated Islamabad.

Iran, on the other hand, prefers primitive retaliation. I know that in normal diplomacy, tit-for-tat acts are considered in the league of expected military responses. But what we have in the asymmetry of power in West Asia is a complex grid of relationships that make simplistic acts of revenge futile at best, and disastrous at worst.

Just when the whole world was coming around to a broad consensus on restraining Israel, we have the prospect (indeed, a reality) of Israel gaining diplomatic legitimacy all over again. Tehran has to take the blame for this.

The mysterious death in 2022 of 22-year-old woman activist Mahsa Amini, targeted by Iran's religious morality police, is still fresh in the minds of the world. Whether it is events at home or its abrasive behaviour within the Muslim world, Iran is a difficult customer for any diplomatic exercise. It has enough adversaries within the Muslim world not to be seen as a power of any consequence in the world order.

In such a backdrop, what we are staring into is a scenario in which the US is standing up for Israel all over again, aided by its rich Western allies. US President Joe Biden, facing elections in a country famous for its wealthy Jewish lobby, said on Friday: "We are devoted to the defense of Israel, we will support Israel, we will help defend Israel, and Iran will not succeed."

So, who is the winner? Certainly not Iran. The drone attacks in retaliation for the Damascus hit can only be seen as a shaky act of bravado that has caused a diplomatic mess. That is bad news getting worse for Palestinians.

I don't see a Third World War. What I see is a human tragedy worsened by the diplomatic immaturity of a dubious friend of the Palestinian cause.

I don't fancy hearing about the chances of a Third World War breaking out in some random Instagram story, but that is what happened. We live in a world of frivolous predictions.

I don't fancy hearing about the chances of a Third World War breaking out in some random Instagram story, but that is what happened. We live in a world of frivolous predictions. But then, social media can make bad things worse. I just shrugged my shoulders and went on to Twitter-turned-X to find 'World War 3' actually trending with a hashtag. After taking a deep breath, all I can say is that what we have just had is not the start of a new world war but one of the biggest screw-ups in diplomatic history. By striking an Israeli ship and then launching a swarm of drone bombs on Israeli territory, the clerics and their fellow power-wielders in Tehran may have won some headlines that speak of revenge after an Israeli attack on an Iranian diplomatic consulate building in Damascus on April 1 that killed a commander and seven officers of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). But a simplistic retaliation is not quite an act of meaningful revenge. What we have had so far is Tel Aviv fending the drones off with its "Iron Dome" defence. Such stuff may have visual appeal for the odd video or social media memes, but we need to look deeper to see the implications and the impact of what Iran has done. The simple fact is that for all practical purposes, Iran is ploughing a lonely furrow in trying to be the loud guardian of Palestinian people. There is no doubt that Israel's savage war against Palestinians in the aftermath of the Hamas attack on its people last October has caused an unspeakable human tragedy. The diplomatic pussyfooting by the so-called world powers in the aftermath is nothing if not a conspiracy of drift. We have not even got a real, temporary ceasefire yet while children are killed, hospitals are bombed, civilians are targeted and whole cities being razed to the ground in Gaza. There is little doubt that Hamas has been acting in tandem with or as an agent for Iran's Shia Islamist regime. But discretion is not part of Iran's revolutionary valour. It likes to unfriend old pals and make new adversaries all the time. Since fighting a war with deposed president Saddam Hussein's Iraq in the 1980s, it has offended Saudi Arabia with its support for Houthi rebels in Yemen, and this year even launched cross-border attacks against rebels in Pakistan's Balochistan region. Last January, Islamic State terrorists killed more than 80 people near the grave of General Qassem Soleimani on the fourth anniversary of his death in a US drone strike. Soleimani was a sworn enemy of the Sunni-Salafi-Jihadist Islamic State whose war on the Shia Islamists of Tehran is only one of the many twisted sub-plots in the Muslim world's checkered history of little and big enmities. The best thing going for Iran so far (if one might call it that) is that China and Russia love anybody doing anti-US acts and therefore keep their diplomatic silence loud. But that is hardly what the doctor ordered for suffering Palestinians, whose basic survival is at stake. All talk of a two-state solution that would help the rise of a Palestinian state is but a desert mirage, an elusive dream and a theoretical prospect best left to television studio panels. The ground reality suggests that Iran has only worsened the case for Palestinians. I am tempted to compare Israel's Damascus attack as one resembling the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai by Pakistan-based terrorists in 2008. What India did after that was not a simplistic military retaliation but an elaborate diplomatic counter-offensive. Armed with dossiers and evidence, it built up a case for Pakistan as a state that harbours terrorists. It won sympathy and diplomatic support across the world of a lasting kind that isolated Islamabad. Iran, on the other hand, prefers primitive retaliation. I know that in normal diplomacy, tit-for-tat acts are considered in the league of expected military responses. But what we have in the asymmetry of power in West Asia is a complex grid of relationships that make simplistic acts of revenge futile at best, and disastrous at worst. Just when the whole world was coming around to a broad consensus on restraining Israel, we have the prospect (indeed, a reality) of Israel gaining diplomatic legitimacy all over again. Tehran has to take the blame for this. The mysterious death in 2022 of 22-year-old woman activist Mahsa Amini, targeted by Iran's religious morality police, is still fresh in the minds of the world. Whether it is events at home or its abrasive behaviour within the Muslim world, Iran is a difficult customer for any diplomatic exercise. It has enough adversaries within the Muslim world not to be seen as a power of any consequence in the world order. In such a backdrop, what we are staring into is a scenario in which the US is standing up for Israel all over again, aided by its rich Western allies. US President Joe Biden, facing elections in a country famous for its wealthy Jewish lobby, said on Friday: "We are devoted to the defense of Israel, we will support Israel, we will help defend Israel, and Iran will not succeed." So, who is the winner? Certainly not Iran. The drone attacks in retaliation for the Damascus hit can only be seen as a shaky act of bravado that has caused a diplomatic mess. That is bad news getting worse for Palestinians. I don't see a Third World War. What I see is a human tragedy worsened by the diplomatic immaturity of a dubious friend of the Palestinian cause.

Iran’s drone swarm shows adventurism that hides a diplomatic disaster for the Palestinian cause

Amid the escalation of tensions in the West Asian region, several countries have issued an advisory asking people not to travel to Israel, Palestine and Lebanon.

Here's the list of countries that have warned against travel Israel, Iran, Palestine and Lebanon.

<h2>- India</h2>

Indian foreign ministry on Friday (Apr 12) issued an advisory to its people&nbsp;asking them to not travel to Iran or Israel till further notice.

The advisory noted that all those who are currently residing in Iran or Israel are requested to get in touch with Indian embassies there and register themselves.&nbsp;

"They are also requested to observe utmost precautions about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum," it added.&nbsp;

<h2>- Poland</h2>

Poland's foreign ministry on Friday issued an advisory against travel to Israel, Palestine and Lebanon stating, "It cannot be ruled out that there will be a sudden escalation of military operations, which would cause significant difficulties in leaving these three countries."

"Any escalation may lead to significant restrictions in air traffic and the inability to cross land border crossings," the statement added.

<h2>- France&nbsp;</h2>

The French foreign ministry on Friday released a statement on social media platform X stating that French citizens should avoid travelling to Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and the Palestinian territories.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/middle-east/iran-backed-hezbollah-fires-dozens-of-missiles-towards-northern-israel-710671">Iran-backed Hezbollah fires dozens of missiles towards Northern Israel</a>

The statement further said that the relatives of Iran-based diplomats will return to France and the French civil servants were barred from conducting missions in Iran, Lebanon, Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

<h2>- United States</h2>

The US on Thursday said that it had instructed its employees residing in Israel to avoid travelling outside of greater Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Be'er Sheva areas.

"Out of an abundance of caution, U.S. government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv (including Herzliya, Netanya, and Even Yehuda), Jerusalem, and Be'er Sheva areas until further notice," the U.S. embassy said in a security alert on its website on Thursday. "U.S. government personnel are authorized to transit between these three areas for personal travel."

<h2>- Russia&nbsp;</h2>

Russia also issued an advisory against travelling to the Middle East, especially Israel, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.

"The tense situation in the Middle East region persists," said the foreign ministry.

"The situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone, as well as in the area of the 'Blue Line' between Lebanon and Israel, remains unstable."

"We strongly recommend that Russian citizens refrain from travelling to the region, especially to Israel, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, except in cases of extreme necessity," it added.

- Other countries that have warned their citizens against travelling to the Middle East include Norway, Britain, Canada and Australia.

(With inputs from agencies)

Amid the escalation of tensions in the West Asian region, several countries have issued an advisory asking people not to travel to Israel, Palestine and Lebanon.

Amid the escalation of tensions in the West Asian region, several countries have issued an advisory asking people not to travel to Israel, Palestine and Lebanon. Here's the list of countries that have warned against travel Israel, Iran, Palestine and Lebanon. - India Indian foreign ministry on Friday (Apr 12) issued an advisory to its people asking them to not travel to Iran or Israel till further notice. The advisory noted that all those who are currently residing in Iran or Israel are requested to get in touch with Indian embassies there and register themselves. "They are also requested to observe utmost precautions about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum," it added. - Poland Poland's foreign ministry on Friday issued an advisory against travel to Israel, Palestine and Lebanon stating, "It cannot be ruled out that there will be a sudden escalation of military operations, which would cause significant difficulties in leaving these three countries." "Any escalation may lead to significant restrictions in air traffic and the inability to cross land border crossings," the statement added. - France The French foreign ministry on Friday released a statement on social media platform X stating that French citizens should avoid travelling to Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and the Palestinian territories. Also read: Iran-backed Hezbollah fires dozens of missiles towards Northern Israel The statement further said that the relatives of Iran-based diplomats will return to France and the French civil servants were barred from conducting missions in Iran, Lebanon, Israel and the Palestinian Territories. - United States The US on Thursday said that it had instructed its employees residing in Israel to avoid travelling outside of greater Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Be'er Sheva areas. "Out of an abundance of caution, U.S. government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv (including Herzliya, Netanya, and Even Yehuda), Jerusalem, and Be'er Sheva areas until further notice," the U.S. embassy said in a security alert on its website on Thursday. "U.S. government personnel are authorized to transit between these three areas for personal travel." - Russia Russia also issued an advisory against travelling to the Middle East, especially Israel, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories. "The tense situation in the Middle East region persists," said the foreign ministry. "The situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone, as well as in the area of the 'Blue Line' between Lebanon and Israel, remains unstable." "We strongly recommend that Russian citizens refrain from travelling to the region, especially to Israel, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, except in cases of extreme necessity," it added. - Other countries that have warned their citizens against travelling to the Middle East include Norway, Britain, Canada and Australia. (With inputs from agencies)

Middle East crisis: List of countries that have issued advisory against travel to Israel, Palestine & Iran

Israel's war against Hamas violence in the West Bank has seen an uptake. Israeli settlers on Saturday rampaged through a village near the occupied city of Ramallah. The incident led to the death of one Palestinian.

Israel war: Violence continues in West Bank as ettlers target Palestinian village Al-Mughayyer

Amid all the Doom and Gloom of the war that is ravaged in Gaza here's a ray of happiness and hope it comes from children playing amid the rubble and the joy and laughter taking over everything else.

Israel war: Innocence defeats horrors of war

West Asia is on edge bracing for an Iranian attack over what form it will take. The next few hours are critical as the possibility of a wider War expanding in the region is increasing. Iran is reportedly preparing to launch an attack on Israel as what it calls retaliation for the attack on its Embassy in Syria on the 1st of April.

Is Iran's attack on Israel imminent?

The death of an Israeli teenager has triggered violence in the occupied Palestinian territory of the West Bank. The Israeli Defence Forces found the body of a 14-year-old boy who went missing while sheepherding in the region.

Israeli settlers rampaged through villages, IDF says 'calm restored in West Bank'

Israel war: Death of Israeli 14-year-old teen boy triggers violence in West Bank

Israel's longtime Ally the US is now repositioning its two Destroyer warships in West Asia in anticipation of the Iranian attack on Israel. According to a US official one Destroyer warship which has been repositioned was already there in the region while the other warship has been redirected there.

More US troops, equipments & warships heading to West Asia

Amid the threat of an imminent attack from Iran, Israel's northern border was in for a barrage of rockets coming from the Lebanese side. Israeli Defense Forces said around 40 Rockets were launched from Lebanese territory.

Hezbollah ups the heat on Israel

The Israel-Palestine conflict has been going on for 2 long months. The number of civilian deaths have crossed huge numbers. The UN security council vote on Gaza has been delayed for second day. The Hamas Chief is expected to travel to Egypt for negotiations on a cease-fire.

Pakistan Opposition stages anti-govt protests | 166 rescued in cable car mishap

Israeli Defence Force says that it has struck three rocket launchers in the Gaza Strip. It claims the launchers had 20 rockets in them all primed for an attack on Central Israel the strike came shortly after the Palestinian Islamic Jihad fired rockets at the southern city.

Israel war: When and how will Iran 'retaliate?'

Israel war | Iron dome intercepted 3 rockets: IDF

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that Israel is keeping up its war in Gaza but is also preparing for scenarios in other areas. Israel has been bracing for possible Iranian retaliation for the killing of a senior General and six officers in a strike on the Iranian Embassy compound in Damascus on the 1st of April.

Israe war: US, Russia, Germany & Britain urge restraint

Jordanian officials and experts are now claiming that Hamas is inciting its citizens against the state. Thousands of protesters have been marching for weeks calling on jordan to break ties with Israel.

Israel-Hamas war: Chants for Palestine grows in Jordan, blame game between Jordan & Hamas

Israel war: Netanyahu says Israel preparing for scenarios in other areas than Gaza

Gazans observed eid this week. But for a majority of the population - celebrating eid was a luxury too outlandish to be a reality, given the circumstances they took the holy festival as an opportunity to mourn their loved ones - those killed in the israeli offensive, to pray for their souls.

Israel war: Gazans mourn the dead this Eid, little to celebrate this Eid in Gaza

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh says three of his sons were killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza. Haniyeh’s sons are among the highest profile figures to have been killed in the war so far. Watch in for more details!

Israel War: Hamas says it lacks ability to locate 40 hostages

Israel War: Hamas says it cannot locate hostages

As Muslims across the world celebrated Eid al-Fitr marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. It's an Eid of Destruction for those caught in the crossfire in war regions like Gaza as we get you glimpses of how Eid was marked across the globe.

Eid al-Fitr 2024: Displaced Palestinians celebrate Eid

Israel War: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh says 3 of his sons were killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza

Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made clear Washington will stand with Tel Aviv against any threats by Iran. Three sons of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh were killed in an Israeli air strike in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday.

Israel war | Israel: Haniyeh's sons were Hamas armed wing operatives

Reports: Hamas says it lacks ability to locate 40 hostages

Six months into Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip time is running out for relatives of hostages yearning to see the kidnapped come home. Now Hamas has reportedly claimed that it cannot locate 40 hostages which are needed for a ceasefire deal with Israel.

Israel war: A race against time for families of hostages

The United States does not have evidence that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza as it carries out its war against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told a Senate hearing on Tuesday. "We don't have evidence of that," Austin told the Senate Armed Services Committee. Watch in for more details!

US has no evidence of unfolding genocide in Gaza: Pentagon

Dozens of Muslims in Gaza attended Eid prayers outside the ruins of an iconic mosque in the southern city of Rafah on Wednesday (April 10) morning.

Gaza residents hold Eid prayers outside ruins of a mosque amid Israel-Hamas war

The US is losing its influence in West Asia now can America's rivals pounce on Washington's weakening Supremacy in the region. Watch to know more.

Who do West Asians prefer: Biden, Putin or Xi?

Too frightened to travel on dangerous roads that lead to their graveyards in Gaza, Palestinian Christians are lowering their loved ones into the ground in Muslim cemeteries amid the chaos of war between Israel and Hamas.

"I've been working at this cemetery for almost 10 years and this is the first time in my life," said Ihsan al-Natour, a worker at the Tal al-Sultan cemetery, where a man picked up a shrouded body and placed it inside a grave as a small child watched.

"Never have I seen a Christian being buried in a Muslim grave, but because of this war, we had no choice but to bury him here."

Since the war broke out six months ago, Israel bombardments have killed more than 33,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to figures from the Gaza health ministry. Some people have lost entire families.

Much of the coastal enclave has been turned into a wasteland, with buildings reduced to rubble and dust. Badly damaged hospitals cannot cope with the casualties, while hunger and possible famine add to the misery.

Travel along roads that could get bombed or shelled only increases the anguish for people trying to bury their dead. Israel has yet to allow residents of northern Gaza, where the Christian cemetery is located, to return home.

Al-Natour said Tal al-Sultan cemetery received the body of a Christian man named Hani Suheil Abu Dawood because it was too dangerous for his family to travel amid the siege. They were unable to say goodbye to him properly.

"So we've buried him here at the Tal al-Sultan cemetery. We don't discriminate between Muslims or Christians here. He's buried amongst Muslims and there are no signs that indicate he is Christian," he said.

Cooperation between Christians and Muslims is not unusual in Gaza.

"I have to take care of him because he is Christian. We have to protect God's creations on this earth," said al-Natour.

"He is a human being, we respect human beings and appreciate humanity and we love every person on earth. It is not in our nature as Muslims to hate humanity."

The war erupted on Oct. 7 when Hamas gunmen burst into Israel from Gaza and killed 1,200 people, according to official Israeli figures, triggering the Israeli assault.

The cemetery is likely to receive many more people as the Palestinian death toll rises every day.

Too frightened to travel on dangerous roads that lead to their graveyards in Gaza, Palestinian Christians are lowering their loved ones into the ground in Muslim cemeteries amid the chaos of war between Israel and Hamas.

Too frightened to travel on dangerous roads that lead to their graveyards in Gaza, Palestinian Christians are lowering their loved ones into the ground in Muslim cemeteries amid the chaos of war between Israel and Hamas. "I've been working at this cemetery for almost 10 years and this is the first time in my life," said Ihsan al-Natour, a worker at the Tal al-Sultan cemetery, where a man picked up a shrouded body and placed it inside a grave as a small child watched. "Never have I seen a Christian being buried in a Muslim grave, but because of this war, we had no choice but to bury him here." Since the war broke out six months ago, Israel bombardments have killed more than 33,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to figures from the Gaza health ministry. Some people have lost entire families. Much of the coastal enclave has been turned into a wasteland, with buildings reduced to rubble and dust. Badly damaged hospitals cannot cope with the casualties, while hunger and possible famine add to the misery. Travel along roads that could get bombed or shelled only increases the anguish for people trying to bury their dead. Israel has yet to allow residents of northern Gaza, where the Christian cemetery is located, to return home. Al-Natour said Tal al-Sultan cemetery received the body of a Christian man named Hani Suheil Abu Dawood because it was too dangerous for his family to travel amid the siege. They were unable to say goodbye to him properly. "So we've buried him here at the Tal al-Sultan cemetery. We don't discriminate between Muslims or Christians here. He's buried amongst Muslims and there are no signs that indicate he is Christian," he said. Cooperation between Christians and Muslims is not unusual in Gaza. "I have to take care of him because he is Christian. We have to protect God's creations on this earth," said al-Natour. "He is a human being, we respect human beings and appreciate humanity and we love every person on earth. It is not in our nature as Muslims to hate humanity." The war erupted on Oct. 7 when Hamas gunmen burst into Israel from Gaza and killed 1,200 people, according to official Israeli figures, triggering the Israeli assault. The cemetery is likely to receive many more people as the Palestinian death toll rises every day.

Chaos of Gaza war forces Christians to bury dead in Muslim cemeteries

A Hamas official said on Monday no progress was made at a new round of Gaza ceasefire talks in Cairo also attended by delegations from Israel, Qatar and the U.S., shortly after Egyptian sources said headway had been achieved on the agenda.

Israel War: Gaza ceasefire talks still deadlocked as Netanyahu sets date for Rafah offensive

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that a date has been set for an Israeli invasion of Rafah, Gaza's last refuge for displaced Palestinians, without disclosing that date as a new round of ceasefire talks take place in Cairo.

Israel War: Netanyahu vows to carry out rafah invasion, says 'there is a date'

Netanyahu: Entry into Rafah 'will happen- there is a date'

Watch in top headlines of the hour: - Netanyahu vows Rafah offensive - US sends 'Iran weapons' to Kyiv - China: Support Russia-Ukraine talks - 'If India renames places in China...' says Rajnath Singh

Netanyahu vows Rafah offensive | US sends 'Iran weapons' to Kyiv

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