Israel-Hamas war threatens to engulf Middle East as Israel masses forces on border for Gaza invasion
Smoke and fire are seen after Israeli shelling in the village of Dhayra, near the border with Israel, in southern Lebanon
Reuters
The Israel-Hamas war is threatening to engulf the entire Middle East after a salvo of missiles were fired from Syria and Lebanon into Israel.
Israeli defence officials have warned that Gaza is going to be razed to the ground and reduced to “a city of tents”.
Military officials warned that they had “created an iron wall of tanks, helicopters and aircraft” around Gaza as they continued to carry out strikes.
Gaza's only power plant has now run out of fuel, after Israel announced earlier this week that it was cutting supplies of electricity, fuel and water.
WATCH NOW: James Cleverly on the Israel-Hamas war
As many as 1,900 people have so far been killed on both sides of the conflict since Saturday after Hamas terrorists staged a surprise attack on Israel.
Israel is reportedly ready to mobilise 360,000 reservists after regaining control of its border with Gaza.
On Tuesday, Lebanese officials confirmed six rockets were fired in Israel form the south of the country.
The Lebanese group Hezbollah exchanged fire with Israel in a third day of violence at the border that has opened up a new front for Israel.
Lebanon’s Hezbollah fired a missile at an Israeli tank on Tuesday, the group said in a statement.
A convoy Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) makes their way to Israel's border with Lebanon
Reuters
In response, a UN peacekeeping force urged “everyone to exercise restraint at this critical time”.
Israeli military officials also said shells were launched from Syria, and said its soldiers had retaliated by firing “toward the origin of the launching in Syria”.
Israel said it responded by striking an observation post belonging to the Iran-backed group.
At time of writing, there have been no reports of damage or injuries resulting from the Syria shelling.
Israel is understood to have positioned tanks on the Lebanese border.
Meanwhile, a second US aircraft carrier could be deployed to the east Mediterranean alongside another sent to the region.
A woman stands near a bullet-riddled wall in Zahajra, near the border with Israel
Reuters
The world's largest warship, the USS Gerald R. Ford, has been mobilised already alongside other warships and a fleet of fighter jets.
Now, military officials are weighing up whether to send another carrier ship to the conflict.
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower was already scheduled to visit the Middle East, but now leaders are weighing up whether they should send it to accompany the USS Gerald R. Ford.
If both ships were sent together, it would amount to a massive show of force against Hamas.