Israel on High Alert as it Weighs Response to Iranian Attack

 

Israel is on high alert following an unprecedented Iranian missile and drone attack on its territory. The Israeli government has signaled that it will not immediately act unilaterally, with two members of the three-man war cabinet hinting at a more measured, longer-term approach to retaliating against Iran’s first direct attack on Israeli soil. The US officials have assessed that the Iranian salvo, which included over 100 ballistic missiles, could have been catastrophically destructive had they not been intercepted by Israel’s defenses. The successful interception by Israel, with the aid of its allies, is seen as a significant victory that has averted an even more dire scenario.

The Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, framed the successful defense against the Iranian attack as an opportunity to build a new “strategic alliance” against Iran. Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s wartime unity government, stated that Israel would “build a regional coalition and exact the price from Iran” in a manner and timing of its choosing. The attack appears to have galvanized Israel and its allies against the common threat posed by Iran.

Israel’s chief military spokesperson, R Adm Daniel Hagari, made clear that Israel is keeping its options open, with operational plans for both offensive and defensive actions approved in the hours following the Iranian assault. The US prioritizes de-escalation, not participation in counter-offensives, and has warned that the Middle East is on the brink of further destabilization and conflict if tensions are not carefully managed.

Iran has sought to signal its determination to respond to any Israeli retaliation, and the Iranian Army Chief of Staff threatened that Iran’s response would be “much larger” if Israel retaliated. Regional powers, including Russia, China, Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, have urged both sides to exercise restraint amid rising tensions.