Israeli military preparing major response to Iran’s missile barrage, official confirms
Israeli tanks and military vehicles take position near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, October 13, 2023. (Reuters/Violeta Santos Moura)
The Israeli military is preparing a significant response to the missile barrage launched by Iran earlier this week, an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) official said on Saturday.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official confirmed that the military is formulating its response to what he described as an “unlawful” attack on Israeli civilians.
“The IDF is preparing a response to the unprecedented and unlawful Iranian attack on Israel,” the official told Agence France-Presse (AFP). While he did not provide specific details on the nature or timing of the response, Israeli military sources have suggested that the strike could be “significant.”
Iran’s missile attack in retaliation
Iran launched around 200 missiles at Israel on Oct. 1, marking the second direct attack on the country in less than six months. Some of the missiles were intercepted by Israel’s defense systems, though some struck military installations. No major casualties or damage were reported by the Israeli authorities.
Iran claimed the missile attack was retaliation for the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed by an Israeli air strike in Beirut on Sept. 27.
The missile barrage also served as a response to the death of former Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Tehran on July 31.
Both Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of being behind Haniyeh’s killing, although Israel has not commented on the matter.
Israeli military braces for further escalation
Israeli newspaper Haaretz, citing military sources, reported that the IDF is “preparing for a significant strike in Iran following this week’s missile attack.” The military has not ruled out the possibility of further Iranian missile launches in retaliation for any Israeli action.
