Falconpowers – According to Israeli reports, there is a consensus among the political leadership in Israel and the members of the Security Cabinet on the need to respond forcefully to the Iranian attack to prevent Iran from “establishing a new equation” in the region and new rules of engagement that would allow Iran to launch direct attacks from its territory on Israel in retaliation for Israeli strikes on its interests in Syria.
However, this “strong response” should not lead to a comprehensive regional war that Washington and its allies in the region are seeking to avoid.
After about three hours of intensive deliberations in the Israeli Security Cabinet, the session dedicated to discussing ways and possibilities of responding to the Iranian attack ended this afternoon.
The discussions on this matter will resume tomorrow, Tuesday.
Netanyahu summoned the leader of the opposition, Yair Lapid, the head of the “Yisrael Beiteinu” party, Avigdor Lieberman, and the head of the “Tikva Hadasha” party, Gideon Sa’ar, for a security briefing at the Defense Ministry headquarters.
The briefing was postponed for reasons related to Netanyahu’s agenda, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation (“Kan 11”).
According to a U.S. official cited by the American ABC News channel, “at least 9 Iranian missiles breached Israel’s defenses and hit two air force bases, with 5 ballistic missiles hitting the Nevatim Air Force Base, damaging a transport plane and an unused runway.”
The official added that “4 ballistic missiles hit the Negev Air Force Base,” noting that “there were no reports of major damage.”
In statements to CNN, two Israeli officials said the Security Cabinet “is still insisting on responding to the Iranian attack,” and will continue to discuss “the timing and scope of such a response.
” The officials explained that the Security Cabinet is considering “diplomatic options to further isolate Iran internationally, as well as the possibility of a potential military response.”
According to the report, Defense Ministers Benny Gantz and Gabi Ashkenazi are pushing for a “swift response” to the Iranian attack; while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet made a final decision on the matter.
Gantz believes, according to the report, that “the longer Israel delays its response to the Iranian attack, the more difficult it will be to rally international support for such an attack,” noting that many countries have already warned Israel against escalation that could lead to a regional war.
While members of the Security Cabinet believe the Israeli government currently enjoys international support from its allies and seeks to capitalize on it, Tel Aviv is aware that the response could lead to a series of retaliation and counter-retaliation, which could further destabilize the region into a comprehensive regional escalation.
