Israel braces for Iranian retaliation following Tehran assassination
Israel is preparing for a retaliatory attack by Iran following the assassination of Ismail Hanije in Tehran. Preparations include a bunker for the command and satellite phones for crucial state officials. According to Axios, the attack will occur on Monday, 5 August.
Internal security service Shin Bet has established a command bunker in Jerusalem capable of withstanding significant attacks, where senior leaders can stay for an extended period in the event of war, as Walla reported on Sunday. It was reported that government members and senior officials were provided with satellite phones in case terrestrial and mobile networks were destroyed.
The military command responsible for civil defence has also completed tests of a new alarm system for the population. The system sends SMS warnings to all mobile phone users in a given area. According to the command, the system will help in emergencies, such as a rocket attack on Israel. In addition, Israel operates an alarm siren system, with warnings also visible in the civil defence app and broadcast in the media in case of danger.
Transport Minister Miri Regev has ordered the organisation of flights to Cyprus to assist Israelis stranded abroad due to many airlines cancelling flights to and from Tel Aviv, according to Channel 12 television. Israelis wanting to return to the country are also being brought back by military transport aircraft. Authorities recommend citizens go to Greece and Cyprus, where transport to Israel will be organised.
Escalation in the Middle East
The situation in the Middle East is the most tense it has been for months and threatens further escalation of Israel's conflict with Iran and its allies, Palestinian Hamas, Lebanese Hezbollah, and Yemeni Houthi movement, on various fronts.
After Israel's recent strike on Beirut and the attributed attack in Tehran, which killed senior leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, Iran and its allies have vowed revenge.
The USA has announced that it will help Israel fend off a potential attack and is strengthening its forces in the Middle East. However, fears are growing that a spiral of attacks could lead to full-scale war. President Joe Biden and American diplomacy stress the need to reduce tension.
