Iran and allies plan joint but limited attack against Israel

Iran and several Tehran-backed groups are reportedly preparing a coordinated retaliation meant to deter Israel but avert all-out war, sources and analysts close to Hezbollah have told AFP.

The plans for retaliation come after the killing of senior Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh and top Hezbollah military commander Fouad Shukr by Israeli air strikes this week. 

The meeting between Iranian officials and representatives of the so-called "axis of resistance" - a loose alliance of Iran-backed groups hostile to Israel - took place on Wednesday in Tehran.