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six countries: Israel Attacks 6 Nations in Past 72 Hours

A sweeping and unprecedented military operation has seen Israeli forces strike targets across six countries and territories in just 72 hours, a dramatic escalation that has sent shockwaves across the globe and pushed the Middle East to the precipice of a wider war.

A Coordinated Offensive Across Six Countries

In what appears to be a radical shift from its long-standing policy of targeted, covert strikes, Israel has launched a coordinated air and missile campaign against what it describes as Iranian-backed assets. The offensive is staggering in its geographic scope, simultaneously hitting locations in **six countries** and territories: Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Iran, and the Gaza Strip. This multi-front operation marks the most significant Israeli military action in over a decade.

Intelligence sources suggest the attacks were meticulously planned, utilizing a combination of F-35 stealth fighters, long-range ballistic missiles, and sophisticated drone swarms. The primary objective, according to initial statements from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), is to “degrade and destroy the offensive capabilities of Iran and its proxies” who, Israel alleges, were planning a large-scale, imminent attack.

The sheer scale of this operation, targeting **six countries** almost concurrently, demonstrates a new and aggressive military posture. Analysts are scrambling to understand the full implications of this strategy, which moves beyond containment to active and widespread preemption.

A Detailed Breakdown of the Targets

The 72-hour blitz was characterized by precision and overwhelming force. While a complete picture is still emerging, reports from local sources and official statements paint a grim picture across the region.

• Iran: In the most audacious element of the offensive, strikes were reported deep inside Iran. Israeli officials have remained tight-lipped, but sources point to a major weapons development facility near Isfahan being hit. This marks a direct, overt attack on Iranian soil, a red line that has long been feared.
• Lebanon: Heavy airstrikes targeted Hezbollah command-and-control centers in the Beqaa Valley and southern Beirut. The attacks reportedly aimed to destroy precision-guided missile (PGM) storage sites, a key concern for Israeli military planners.
• Syria: For years, Israel has struck Iranian assets in Syria. However, this wave was different in its intensity. Attacks were reported on airbases near Damascus and Aleppo, targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) personnel and advanced air defense systems.
• Iraq: For the first time in recent memory, Israeli jets were confirmed to have struck targets in western Iraq. The targets were depots belonging to Iranian-aligned militia groups, which the Pentagon has also accused of targeting U.S. forces.
• Yemen: In a complex long-range operation, Israeli forces reportedly struck Houthi drone and missile launch sites along the Red Sea coast. Israel claims these sites were being prepared for attacks on shipping lanes and Israeli territory.
• Gaza Strip: Concurrent with the wider operation, the IDF launched a series of strikes in Gaza, targeting what it called “senior Hamas and Islamic Jihad operational commanders” and underground tunnel infrastructure.

Israel’s Stated Rationale: The Doctrine of Preemption

In a press conference, the Israeli Defense Minister declared that the nation had moved to a new security doctrine. “We will no longer wait for the tentacles of the octopus to strike us from all directions. We have chosen to strike the head of the octopus in Tehran and its primary arms across the region,” he stated. “This is not a war of choice, but a preemptive strike to prevent a much larger, bloodier conflict.”

This “Octopus Doctrine” signifies a fundamental strategic pivot. For years, the approach was to “mow the lawn”—periodically degrading the capabilities of individual proxy groups. This new strategy is a holistic, all-in-one offensive designed to cripple the entire network at once. The core belief is that by demonstrating a credible threat to the Iranian homeland and its most valuable proxy assets simultaneously, it can re-establish deterrence.

However, critics argue this is an incredibly high-risk gamble. By attacking six sovereign nations and territories, Israel may have ignited a firestorm it cannot control, potentially uniting its adversaries in a coordinated response. The potential for miscalculation on either side is now dangerously high.

Global Reactions and Calls for De-escalation

The international community has reacted with alarm. The White House issued a statement affirming Israel’s right to self-defense but urged “maximum restraint” to prevent further escalation. European Union leaders have condemned the widespread attacks and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

The United Nations Security Council has scheduled an emergency session. Russia and China have issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s “flagrant violation of international law and the sovereignty of multiple nations,” warning of “catastrophic consequences” for regional stability.

Arab nations are in a difficult position. While countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE share Israel’s concerns about Iran, the overt nature of these attacks across Arab lands has drawn public condemnation. Egypt and Jordan, key regional mediators, are reportedly working frantically behind the scenes to broker a ceasefire.

The Ripple Effect: What Happens Next?

The world now holds its breath, waiting for Iran’s response. A full-scale retaliation could trigger the multi-front war that Israel’s operation was purportedly designed to prevent. Key questions remain:

• Will Hezbollah launch its massive rocket arsenal at Israel?
• How will Iran itself respond to a direct attack on its soil?
• Will the conflict spill over into global shipping lanes, causing oil prices to skyrocket?

The humanitarian cost is already mounting, with civilian casualties reported in several of the targeted areas. This operation, targeting assets within **six countries**, has redrawn the map of Middle Eastern conflict. Whether it will be remembered as a masterstroke of strategic preemption or a reckless gamble that plunged the region into chaos will be determined in the days and weeks to come. For more on the developing tensions, see our analysis on the history of the shadow war.

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