Tension eases in Middle East as Iran and Israel seem to be retreating from brink of war

There are now signs that tension between Iran and Israel appear to be retreating from the brink of conflict even as the US approved new Israeli military aid despite growing criticism of its ally's war in Gaza.

Iran downplayed Israel's reported retaliation for its drone and missile attacks, allaying apprehensions that the attacks between the arch enemies could escalate into a major war in the Middle East. However, a deadly explosion at an Iraqi military base underlined persistent tensions in the region, as more deadly Israeli attacks in Gaza and clashes in the West Bank intensified.

The US House of Representatives approved $13 billion in new military aid to the country with the aim of strengthening Israel's security, including the Iron Dome air defense system. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the aid bill, writing on Twitter: "It demonstrates strong bipartisan support for Israel and defends Western values." The US however approved new Israeli military aid on Saturday despite growing criticism of its ally's war in Gaza.

The Palestinian president condemned it as "aggression against the Palestinian people" and a "dangerous escalation." Nabil Abu Rudina, a spokesman for President Mahmoud Abbas, said, "This money will translate into thousands of Palestinian casualties in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank."

A week ago, after Iran launched more than 300 missiles and drones on Israeli territory in Tehran's first direct attack on Israeli territory, Israel warned it would retaliate. Iran's attack was in retaliation for an airstrike, widely blamed on Israel, that destroyed the Iranian Consulate in Damascus and killed seven Revolutionary Guards on April 1.