Israel has vowed to make Iran pay for an unprecedented overnight drone and missile assault as it deliberates its response while under pressure to de-escalate.
The prolonged five-hour attack from Tehran threatens to escalate the Middle Eastern crisis into a full-blown regional conflict.
Israel’s war cabinet, which met on Sunday, is authorized to respond, with member Benny Gantz stating the “event is not over.”
He emphasized the need to “build a regional coalition and exact a price from Iran, in a manner and time of our choosing.”
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant praised Israel’s unparalleled thwarting of the attack but warned, “We must be prepared for every scenario.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed, “We have intercepted, we have contained. Together we shall win.”
An Israeli official told CNN that a response to Iran’s attack is forthcoming, though the scope remains undecided.
Israel faces Western pressure to ease tensions after a challenging period following its conflict with Hamas, resulting in over 33,000 Palestinian deaths and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Iran’s anticipated retaliation followed a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic site in Syria, leading to the late Saturday assault. More than 300 projectiles, including 170 drones and over 120 ballistic missiles, were launched at Israel. Israel’s defense, supported by US, UK, and French allies, intercepted 99%, with one serious injury to a 7-year-old girl.
The attacks exposed the long-standing clandestine hostilities between the nations and marked Iran’s first direct assault on Israel from its territory.
The longstanding rivalry between Israel and Iran intensified after Hamas’ attacks on Israel, resulting in about 1,200 Israeli deaths. Iran’s backing of Middle East proxies has repeatedly put it at odds with Israel…READ MORE
