A majority of Israel’s war cabinet favors a response to Iran’s attack, but they disagree on the scope and timing.
This is reported by international media.
– In the last two hours, we have approved both offensive and defensive plans, says Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the IDF.
The Israeli War Cabinet meeting is over.
The world has been waiting all day for official word on whether Israel intends to respond to Iran’s massive attack, and when word did come, it was cryptic.
According to IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari, Israel has approved both offensive and defensive plans in recent hours. He says that Iran and Hamas want to set the Middle East on fire and that the IDF is on high alert.
– We will continue to defend Israel, and together with our allies we will continue to build a stable and secure future for the entire Middle East, he says at a press conference.
But he doesn’t go into how.
Majority is for attack
An anonymous source says Sky News that it is confirmed that Israel will respond to the attack. A majority of the cabinet is in favor, but they disagree on how extensive the attack should be and when it should take place.
The cabinet has now asked the IDF to produce proposals for measures. They must also consider whether they need to act soon or if they can afford to wait, as well as assess how an escalation of the conflict with Iran could affect the prospects for the war in Gaza.
Assessors do not think Israel will respond
The Middle East expert Anders Persson previously assessed that it is not likely that Israel will respond to the attack, as all parties see themselves as winners. Iran launched a spectacular attack, Israel stopped it and the US managed to avert a major war.
– It is quite unusual for everyone to declare victory, and it is a practical solution that I think could mean that this round is over, says Anders Persson, Middle East expert, in Efter Fem.
TV4’s foreign policy commentator Rolf Porseryd is on the same track.
– It could be that you stay there and try to cool down the situation, which the outside world largely wants, he says.
What the outside world worries about is that Israel will attack Iran on Iranian soil, which could escalate the conflict into a major regional war.
If Israel instead attacks Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, the risk is not as great, according to several international observers.