Israel vows precise retaliation after Iranian missile attack
Israel announced a response to the Iranian missile attack on Tuesday late evening. "We will choose when to exact the price," declared the Chief of General Staff of the Israeli Defense Forces, Gen. Herzi Halevi, on Tuesday evening. The military also announced that they would continue attacks in the Middle East at night.
"We have proved our ability to prevent the enemy from achieving success, through the combination of exemplary civilian conduct and a very strong aerial defence array," emphasized Halevi. He also stated that the retaliation would prove that the army is capable of conducting "precise and surprising" attacks.
"This is a serious and dangerous escalation"
Iran launched more than 180 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday, most of which were shot down by Israeli air defense and the U.S.-led defense coalition, said the spokesperson of the Israeli Defense Forces, Gen. Daniel Hagari.
"Iran’s attack is a severe and dangerous escalation. There will be consequences (...) Our defensive and offensive capabilities are at the highest levels of readiness. Our operational plans are ready. We will respond wherever, whenever and however we choose," emphasized the military.
In a separate statement, the military announced that on Tuesday and Wednesday night, it would continue "strong attacks on targets in the Middle East," according to the Haaretz newspaper.
Netanyahu: They must side with Israel
"The regime in Iran does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and our determination to retaliate against our enemies … They will understand," emphasized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before the security cabinet meeting.
The Prime Minister also called on the world to unite against Iran. "They must stand by Israel. The choice has never been clearer between tyranny and freedom, between blessing and curse," he noted.
Biden: Let no one have any illusions
U.S. President Joe Biden also spoke about the response to the Iranian attack. "Based on what we know now, the attack appears to have been defeated and ineffective, and this is testament to Israeli military capability and the US military. It’s also a testament to intensive planning between the United States and Israel to anticipate and defend against the brazen attack we expected," said Biden, speaking at the beginning of a meeting on the effects of Hurricane Helene.
"The United States is fully, fully, fully supportive of Israel," he added.
