Israel braces for imminent retaliation amid rising tensions
Israel is preparing for a potential attack. Observations of military movements indicate that special military units are being sent to Tel Aviv and other cities. Concurrently, the United States is also taking action by relocating its F/A-18 fighter jets to a base in the Middle East. The deployment of F-22 aircraft there is also planned.
7 August 2024 13:23
Israel is mobilizing its forces in response to threats of retaliation from Hezbollah and Hamas for the deaths of their leaders. As reported two days ago by Israel's Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, Iran has already decided to attack Israel. This information was conveyed by Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, who contacted Minister Katz directly, relaying a message from Iran's Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri.
In response, the Israeli military command responsible for civil defence has directed Ram Battalion units, specializing in search and rescue missions, to Tel Aviv. Their task will be to assist in case of building collapses or other destruction caused by potential attacks.
Israel expects a strike. An attack could happen any day now
Soldiers have been deployed near one of the city's largest sports halls, which also houses a civil defence vehicle base. The military reported that rescue units have also been deployed in Haifa and several other cities in northern Israel and the south, including Eilat, and the country's centre.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a visit to soldiers at one of the bases, called for calm and composure. He assured that Israel is prepared for both defence and offensive operations.
Meanwhile, the United States is intensifying its diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions in the region and prevent uncontrolled escalation that could lead to open war. The U.S. is strengthening its forces in the Middle East and preparing to provide Israel with military support in repelling the expected attack.
About 10 F/A-18 fighter jets and an E-2D Hawkeye early warning aircraft from the Navy landed at a base in the Middle East on Monday (local time, 3 p.m. Eastern Time). They arrived from the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt stationed in the Gulf of Oman.
According to information provided by AP, the presence of these aircraft at the base is expected to be temporary. In the coming days, they are to be replaced by F-22 fighter jets arriving from Alaska.
The situation in the Middle East became critical when on July 30, in an Israeli attack on Beirut, Lebanese Hezbollah's military leader, Fuad Shukr, was killed. The next day, in an attack on Tehran, Hamas' political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed. Iran and Hamas accuse Israel of his death, but Israel has not confirmed its involvement in the assassination.
Israel is preparing for the possibility of several days of rocket and drone raids from Iran and its allies. Iran's retaliatory attack may be synchronized with a strike by its allies.
Another escalation could soon occur. In April, in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike on Damascus, which killed several senior commanders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Iran launched hundreds of rockets and drones. Most of the missiles were then intercepted, largely thanks to the help of the U.S., the U.K., and other allies.
