 "Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system operates for interceptions as rockets are launched from Lebanon towards Israel, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, as seen from near Ein Ya'akov, northern Israel October 23, 2024. Reuters/Representational image")
Israel is ready for a response from Iran, come what may. In the past month, Tel Aviv has counterstruck Iran twice in retaliation to its October 1 attack, putting the conflict in West Asia on edge.
An Israeli source told CNN that the country is at a “high level” of readiness in case Iran attacks it, however, it is not sure when and how such a strike would take place.
According to the source, the recent Israeli strikes on Iranian missile production facilities and air defense systems have put Tehran in a difficult position, as its ability to launch attacks on Israel and defend against future Israeli strikes has been weakened.
The deaths of senior Hezbollah leaders, including its chief Hassan Nasrallah, prompted an Iranian response which culminated in the launch of missiles against Israel. Since then, Iran has intensified its ground offensive in Lebanon.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Friday criticised Israel’s “expansion” of its attacks on his country, saying they indicated a rejection of efforts to broker a truce after more than a month of war.
“The Israeli enemy’s renewed expansion of the scope of its aggression on Lebanese regions, its repeated threats to the population to evacuate entire cities and villages, and its renewed targeting of the southern suburbs of Beirut with destructive raids are all indicators that confirm the Israeli enemy’s rejection of all efforts being made to secure a ceasefire,” Mikati said.
Earlier this week, Israel launched a second attack on Iran which was downplayed by officials in Tehran although they struck its military targets across the country.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsMeanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said that Israel’s attack against the country “should neither be exaggerated nor minimised”.
“The evil perpetrated by the Zionist regime (Israel) two nights ago must not be exaggerated or minimised,” he said in a post on X.
Israel’s security cabinet is discussing the terms of a truce with Hezbollah in south Lebanon, where Israeli troops are conducting a ground offensive, Energy Minister Eli Cohen said Wednesday.
“There are discussions, I think it will still take time”, Cohen told Israeli public radio.
According to Israel’s Channel 12 television, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks with ministers on Tuesday evening on Israel’s demands in return for a 60-day truce.
With inputs from agencies