Israel's Response to Iranian Missile Attacks
In a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Israel is preparing to respond to a recent missile attack from Iran. On October 1, Iran launched approximately 200 ballistic missiles towards Israeli territory, which it claims was a retaliation for the assassination of key militant leaders, including Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The situation has prompted serious discussions within the Israeli security establishment regarding the timing and nature of their response.
Concerns Over Intelligence Leak
Recent reports indicate that American intelligence documents detailing Israel's operational plans to retaliate against Iran were leaked on a Telegram account associated with Iranian interests. This leak has raised alarms among U.S. officials, who view it as a serious threat to Israeli security operations. Despite the leak, Israeli officials, including a senior security figure, have stated that it will not hinder their planned actions against Iran. U.S. President Joe Biden acknowledged awareness of Israel's forthcoming response but refrained from sharing specific details, further intensifying scrutiny on the situation.
Decision-Making at the Highest Levels
The decision to launch an attack on Iran will reportedly be made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Galant, and Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi. The Israeli Ministerial Council is expected to review the strategic outlines of the response plan, which is believed to be ready for approval. Reports suggest that Israel may execute its retaliatory measures during the ongoing Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, a period of heightened significance in the Jewish calendar.
