Israel has come under widespread missile attack from Iran. Some 200 ground-to-ground missiles were launched from Iran, according to Israeli media. Israelis have been ordered to stay in bomb shelters while the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) intercept missiles overhead. The sound of interceptions over Tel Aviv, Israel’s largest city, are constant and deafening.
So far, there don’t appear to be any casualties or direct hits. Among Iran’s targets were military bases, including airforce and intelligence facilities. It’s not known whether the attack has now finished, or if another wave of missiles is making its way to Israel. Elsewhere, a terror attack this evening in Jaffa has resulted in the death of eight Israelis. There are reports of another possible incident in Herzeliya, close to Tel Aviv, although the details are sketchy. It is not known if these various incidents are linked.
The Middle East is now on the verge on a wider war
The missile attack did not come as a surprise. Reports emerged this afternoon that Iran was planning to attack Israel, putting the country on high alert. Iran has been threatening to target Israel since July, when Hamas’s leader Ismail Henya was assassinated in Tehran. The assassination of Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah last week strengthened their resolve. The United States attempted to deter Iran from attacking Israel, but its pleas fell on deaf ears. Iran chose the day that Israel started a large-scale ground operation in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah to strike.
The Middle East is now on the verge on a wider war. Israel will need to decide carefully how it responds. Any decision to retaliate may depend on whether or not there are Israeli casualties.
When Iran launched missiles at Israel in April, the Israeli response then was limited. But this latest attack is viewed much more seriously by Israel. After all, this time the missiles were not fired through Iran’s proxies. Iran’s decision to strike directly could lead Israel to harden its strategy against Tehran. Israel might choose a tougher response this time.
So, what will Israel do next? The IDF could target Iranian nuclear facilities and other strategic assets. Such a heavy response on Iran could lead to an all-out war.
Before this attack, Israel made it clear to the Americans that it will respond with full force if targeted. Israel will not what to be seen as failing to follow through on that vow. It is determined to re-establish its deterrence against enemies that keep ignoring Israel’s red lines.
Israel is now fighting a war on several fronts; in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, the West Bank and against internal terrorism. Israel is surrounded by an Iranian ring of fire that seeks to annihilate it. Full-scale war with Iran looks like an increasingly probable, and worrying, scenario.
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