“Keep calm” – with these words Israel's head of government addressed the population, who have been discussing for days how great the danger is of retaliatory attacks following the killing of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appealed to the population to remain calm – and thereby acknowledged that the mood among the population is very tense after days of constant reports of impending retaliatory attacks by Iran and Hezbollah. Israeli media sometimes speak of “permanent stress”.
“We are moving forward toward victory,” Netanyahu told recruits in Tel Aviv. “I know that the citizens of Israel are on alert, and I ask only one thing: remain patient and calm. We are prepared for both defense and attack, we strike and we are also determined to defend ourselves.”
Hezbollah threatens attack on Haifa
In this context, Israeli army radio reported that Israel would preemptively attack Hezbollah rocket sites in Lebanon if the armed forces had advance information about Hezbollah's attack plans. Yesterday afternoon, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah threatened Israel, among other things, with an attack on the city of Haifa.
There are numerous options being discussed in Israel's media regarding the retaliatory actions of Iran and Hezbollah. Roi Sharon, the military correspondent for Channel 12, said that one assessment is that it will not be a combined attack, but a simultaneous attack by Iran and Hezbollah, which would trigger a warning if it came from Iran. And that there would be a much shorter warning time if it came from Hezbollah.
Unlike Iran, which is relatively far away, Hezbollah is located in Lebanon, a neighboring country of Israel. Therefore, it will be more difficult to inform the home front and security authorities in advance. In any case, Israel would respond to any attack by Iran or its offshoots in the region, the public radio station KAN said, citing Israeli government sources.
Ministry sent Argumentation paper
Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also warned Hezbollah leader Nasrallah in very drastic terms: In Lebanon, they cannot imagine what would happen in the event of an Israeli reaction, Gallant said, adding: “When they see Gaza, they will understand.”
Meanwhile, the daily Yedioth Achronoth reports that the Israeli Foreign Ministry has sent its ambassadors abroad an argumentation paper entitled “Creating legitimacy for possible Israeli steps.” The instruction to the Israeli ambassadors states: “You are requested to approach your interlocutors to create legitimacy for possible Israeli actions in the war, should Israel be attacked.”
This applies to possible Israeli actions in all areas. Israel always prefers a diplomatic solution, but is determined to defend its citizens at all costs and acts as any responsible, democratic and law-abiding country would act if it were in its position.
