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Israel is expected to retaliate against Iran, provided such action does not escalate into an all-out war in the region.
According to Channel 12 in Israel, on the 15th (local time), the Israeli cabinet resolved to retaliate against Iran “clearly and strongly.” This response aims to assert that “Israel will not tolerate such a significant attack without a response.”
According to the Times of Israel (TOI), Herzi Halevi, Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), visited the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel, which was among the targets of Iran’s attack. He stated, “We are evaluating our response. If Iran launches a barrage of missiles, cruise missiles, and drones into Israeli territory, they should expect retaliation.” TOI also speculated that Israel’s retaliation might occur as soon as today.
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According to U.S. political news outlet Axios, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant conveyed to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a phone conversation the day prior that Israel felt compelled to retaliate against Iran’s unprecedented missile and drone attack.
This response was designed to make it clear that Israel would not allow the “equation establishment” that Iran has been trying to assert in recent days, Channel 12 reported.
This shows Israel’s rejection of Iran’s warning that any attack on Iranian territory, including the international diplomatic zone, would result in future retaliatory strikes.
Minister Gallant told Secretary Austin that Israel would not accept the “equation” of Iran responding directly to attacks every time Israel targets Syria, Axios reported.
This indicates Israel’s refusal to accept the “equation” proposed by Iran following the attack on Israel. Iran launched 170 drones, 120 medium-range ballistic missiles, and 30 cruise missiles on the evening of the 13th, purportedly in retaliation for the Israeli military’s bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, on the 1st. This Israeli strike resulted in the deaths of eight senior officials, including the commander overseeing Lebanon and Syria for Iran’s elite Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards.
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Israeli media stated: “Israel’s response coordinated with the U.S. to avoid triggering a regional war and undermining coalition forces assisting in defense against Iranian airstrikes.”
Channel 12 revealed that Israel intends to coordinate its response to Iran with the United States to avoid triggering a regional conflict or jeopardizing coalition forces that have assisted in defending against Iranian airstrikes.
CNN reported that Secretary Austin had requested Minister Gallant to provide advance notice to the U.S. of any retaliatory measures Israel took.
Moreover, U.S. President Joe Biden conveyed his disapproval of Israel’s planned retaliatory airstrikes during a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the 13th. Biden noted that nearly all Iran’s attacks had been intercepted, stating, “You have won.” In response, Prime Minister Netanyahu canceled the retaliation plan, as The New York Times (NYT) reported.
During a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani at the White House on the same day, President Biden said in a statement in front of reporters, “We have made unprecedented military efforts to protect Israel,” and “We repelled the Iranian attack with our partners.”
TOI disclosed that 99% of Iran’s missiles and drones were intercepted, thanks mainly to assistance from the U.S., Jordan, and other allies, before they could breach Israeli airspace.
The only casualty resulting from Iran’s attack was a Bedouin girl who sustained severe injuries from debris in the Negev desert of Israel. Additionally, minor infrastructure damage occurred at the Nevatim Airbase, which has contributed to Israel’s restraint in launching excessive retaliatory airstrikes.
ABC News reported that despite the robust defense systems, nine of Iran’s ballistic missiles breached the networks of Israel and the U.S., among others. Five of these missiles struck the Nevatim Airbase, resulting in damage to a C-130 transport aircraft, an inactive runway, and an unoccupied warehouse.
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