Tehran: Tensions have escalated in the Middle East following the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. The incident has led to a series of retaliatory actions and heightened threats in the region. Iran-backed groups, including Hezbollah, have vowed revenge against Israel, intensifying the volatile situation.

On Sunday, Hezbollah launched dozens of Katyusha rockets at Israel, targeting the settlement of Beit Hillel. This attack was described as a response to Israeli airstrikes on the Lebanese villages of Kfar Kela and Deir Siriane. In a statement, Hezbollah declared that their actions were in support of the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip and a response to the injuries suffered by civilians in the Israeli attacks.

The situation has attracted international concern, with the United States taking steps to support Israel's defense. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed the threats posed by Iran and its allied groups with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, emphasizing the need for de-escalation and the benefits of a ceasefire.

Meanwhile, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Istanbul to protest the killing of Haniyeh, with prominent figures condemning Israel's actions. The Iranian government expects Hezbollah to expand its targets beyond military sites, potentially deepening the conflict.

As the crisis unfolds, global leaders, including US President Joe Biden, have expressed hope that Iran will refrain from further escalatory actions.

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Ahmedabad (PTI): The Ahmedabad police have arrested a 29-year-old man who allegedly posed as a senior revenue official and used fake letters claiming to be from various government departments to cheat people, an official said on Sunday.

Mehul Shah, an engineer who manages two schools at Vankaner in Gujarat’s Morbi district, is accused of making lakhs of rupees with bogus documents and false claims, said inspector (crime branch) JK Makwana.

Shah had forged an appointment letter from the Ahmedabad district education officer (DEO) to offer a computer operator’s job in a government office to a complainant’s son. He also introduced himself as a trustee of a school and did not pay a man Rs 7 lakh due to him over the painting of a school building, the official said.

“Despite holding no official position in the state or central government, he used fake work permits and NOCs to cheat people of lakhs of rupees,” the police official said.

One complainant alleged that Shah identified himself as a top revenue department official and produced a fake letter from the chairman of the “department of science and research development” to make him install a siren and curtain in a hired vehicle but did not pay for the job, he said.

Bogus letters claiming to be from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ahmedabad DEO were used by the accused to cheat the complainants, the police official said.

Police have recovered from his possession fake identity cards and letters with headings like “bharat gaurav ratna shri samman council”, “chairman of department of science and research development”, “health and family welfare department”, and “road and building department”.

“The FIR is based on complaints by three victims. We appeal to the people to come forward and submit their complaints if they have been cheated by Shah in any way,” Makwana said.