 "The Israeli Iron Dome missile defence system (left) intercepts rockets fired from Gaza Strip. (Representative Photo, Credit: Anas Baba/AFP)")
As an attack from Iran and its allies is said to be imminent, Israel has finalised plans for a multi-front war.
In a meeting of the military leadership on Monday, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi approved the battle plans for “various fronts”.
The meeting of the IDF brass came ahead of the widely-anticipated Iranian offensive that may start as early as tonight.
In a brief message following the meeting in Hebrew, the IDF said that Halevi held a situational assessment and approved plans for a multi-front conflict. The IDF further said that Halevi “emphasised the continuation of a high level of readiness and efforts to prepare for offense and defence”.
Previously, Israeli outlet Ynet has reported that Israel has assessed that Iran and its allies like Hezbollah and the Houthis may attack such that they open war on as many as five fronts.
The Times of Israel reported that the meeting was also attended by IDF deputy chief, heads of the intelligence and operations directorates, head of the northern command, air force chief, home front command chief, and other top officers.
There are fears that the Iranian attack, which is expected to include allies such as Lebanon-based Hezbollah, and the subsequent Israeli response could lead to an escalatory spiral that may plunge the Middle East into a full-scale war .
Impact Shorts
More ShortsIn its latest assessment, Israel has said that the attack may happen “within days” and there are reports which say the Iranian attack is highly likely within 24 hours starting as early as Monday night — coinciding with Tisha B’Av, the day Jews in Israel and elsewhere mourn the historical destruction of their temples in Jerusalem.
‘We’ve been strengthening defensive & offensive options’
As Israel and the United States make final preparations to beat back the expected Iranian barrage, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel has been strengthening defensive as well as offensive options in recent days.
Indicating the openness to pre-emptive strikes, Gallant said that while protecting Israelis remains the main goal, Israel would seize the initiative to strike anywhere in the Middle East if required, according to The Times of Israel.
“In recent days, we have been devoting our time both to strengthening defences and to creating offensive options in response, and also as an initiative if required, anywhere and in any region, with the main goal being the protection of the citizens of the State of Israel,” said Gallant, as per the newspaper.
Gallant further said, “We are in the days of vigilance and readiness. The threats from Tehran and Beirut may materialize and it is important to explain to everyone that readiness, preparedness, and vigilance are not synonyms for fear and panic.”
Iran could attack within 24 hours starting tonight: Reports
Gallant has communicated to US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin that Israel has assessed that the Iranian attack may come “within days”, according to Axios.
Separately, reports have said that the attack may come within 24 hours starting Monday evening.
Fox News has reported sources in the Middle East as saying that the attack is expected in the 24 hours starting Monday evening.
Fox Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst reported that officials are saying that “the hour zero is approaching”.
“Regional sources are concerned that an attack from Iran and its proxies could come in less than 24 hours despite the back and forth about the question of timing,” said Yingst.
Watch the latest video at foxnews.com
Separately, starting 12 pm on Monday, the IDF declared closure of public spaces in southern Israel. The Jerusalem Post reported that the closure may have been announced to avoid mass casualties as large-scale prayers to mark Tisha B’Av were planned in the region and could have been targeted in any attack.
Separately, Sky News Arabia had previously reported that Iran may launch the attack on Tisha B’Av, which falls on August 12-13. The Tisha B’Av is a day when Jews in Israel and elsewhere mourn the destruction of their First and Second Temples in Jerusalem 6th century BCE and 1st century CE. The day may be symbolic to Iran for attack as the anti-Jewish regime rejects Israel’s right to exist and is committed to its destruction.
In the wake of the anticipated attacks, the United States has boosted military presence in the Middle East. Additional fighter planes, an aircraft carrier, an additional submarine, and additional warships have been deployed to the region in addition one aircraft carrier and numerous warships and fighter planes units already deployed there.
In line with the strategy adopted in April when Iran attacked Israel for the first time ever, the United States is counting on a coalition of US, British, French, Saudi, and Jordanian militaries to help Israel in defence against the Iranian attack .
Even as the Western and Arab world presses Iran to not push the region into war, The Wall Street Journal last week reported that Iran has told the Arab leaders that it no longer cares if its attack on Israel sparks an all-out regional war .