Israel is preparing for potential military action against its arch-rival Iran amid fears of an imminent retaliatory attack after the assassination of Hamas chief in Tehran.
Israeli reports indicate that the situation remains volatile in the region after the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. Top government and security officials in Israel are discussing various options in response to the uncertainty surrounding Iran and its proxies, The Times Of Israel reported.
Preemptive strike
During a meeting led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the possibility of a preemptive strike on Iran was considered as a deterrent measure. However, Israeli security officials stressed that such an action would only be authorised if the country received definitive intelligence indicating that Iran was about to launch an attack.
Both Israel and the U.S. are reportedly unsure of what an Iranian attack might entail, as Tehran has not yet finalised its plans or fully coordinated with its proxy groups. The Israeli government would need to align its intelligence with that of the United States before proceeding with any military action, the newspaper said.
“Iran and its minions are looking to surround us in a stranglehold of terrorism. We are determined to stand against them on every front and in every arena – near and far. Whoever seeks to harm us will pay a very heavy price,” PM Netanyahu said in a post on social media platform X on Sunday.
April Assault
Earlier in April, Iran launched an unprecedented assault from its own territory, and Israel was caught off guard. However, Israeli officials believe they are better prepared now, with the ability to assess whether any upcoming attack will mirror the scale of the previous one, during which approximately 99% of the missiles and drones were intercepted.
Despite the possibility of a larger attack, Israeli assessments suggest that the country can withstand such an assault and mount an effective defense with the assistance of its allies. As tensions escalate, both Washington and its regional partners have urged Israel and Iran to de-escalate the situation to prevent a wider regional conflict.
De-escalation Bids
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi visited Iran last week to stress the need for dialogue to address the growing tensions. Safadi expressed Jordan’s commitment to the Palestinian cause and condemned Israeli actions that hinder peace efforts. He called for an end to the ongoing war in Gaza to protect the region from the devastating consequences of a wider conflict.
The region has been in turmoil since October 7, when Hamas launched a cross-border attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the capture of 251 hostages. Israel has conducted an offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, claiming to target the group’s military capabilities. The Hamas-run health ministry reports that over 39,000 people in Gaza have been killed or are presumed dead.
(With agency inputs)
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