Israel’s attack on Iran is imminent, according to Israeli official
Cloud of smoke erupts following Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs on October 19, 2024. (AFP Photo)
Israel is reportedly preparing for a large-scale attack on Iran in response to the missile strike launched by Tehran on October 1, according to a security source cited by the Israeli state television KAN. The planned operation, described as significant, comes amid heightened tensions between the two nations.
Tel Aviv’s preparations for the assault include bolstering defense systems to counter potential Iranian retaliation.
During a security cabinet meeting expected this evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant are anticipated to receive authority to decide the timing and execution of the strike.
The missile attack by Iran on October 1, which reportedly targeted multiple sites in Israel, has prompted vows of retaliation from the Israeli government.
U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed on Friday that he is aware of the details regarding Israel’s response, stating that he understands both “how and when” the retaliation will occur. However, Biden has previously urged Israel to avoid targeting Iran’s oil and nuclear sites to prevent further escalation.
Netanyahu accuses Iran of assassination attempt
In a related incident, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iranian proxies of attempting to assassinate him and his wife following a drone strike on his private residence. “The agents of Iran who tried to assassinate me and my wife today made a bitter mistake,” Netanyahu said, according to the Times of Israel.
Iran has indicated that its missile attack was in response to the assassinations of a former Hamas political leader in Tehran in July and Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut last month. The missile salvo, consisting of nearly 200 projectiles, struck multiple locations in Israel, including a military facility, though no casualties were reported.
The exchange of hostilities between Israel and Iran has intensified in recent months. Tensions escalated after Israel bombed Iran’s embassy in Syria on April 1, killing senior Iranian military officials. Iran retaliated two weeks later with a massive drone and missile strike targeting Israel.
Israel strikes Beirut, targeting group financing Hezbollah
Simultaneously, the Israeli military warned on Sunday of imminent strikes against Al-Qard Al-Hassan, an association accused of financing Hezbollah in Lebanon. Residents near the group’s offices were urged to evacuate.
“Al-Qard Al-Hassan is involved in financing Hezbollah’s terrorist operations against Israel. Therefore, the Israeli army has decided to target this terrorist infrastructure,” stated army spokesman Avichay Adraee on social media platform X.
Designated as a “terrorist” entity by Saudi Arabia and sanctioned by the U.S., Al-Qard Al-Hassan is a financial firm linked to Hezbollah. Adraee emphasized the urgency for individuals living near any of Al-Qard Al-Hassan’s facilities to leave the area immediately.
In a televised briefing, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, another Israeli military spokesman, confirmed that “we will attack numerous targets in the coming hours and more targets during the night.”
According to the U.S. Treasury, Al-Qard Al-Hassan has been utilized by Iran-backed Hezbollah to obscure financial activities and gain access to the international financial system. A senior Israeli intelligence official explained that the planned strikes aim not only to impact Hezbollah financially but also to affect the Shiite Muslim community that relies on Al-Qard Al-Hassan’s services.
“The main objective is to affect the trust between Hezbollah and many in the Shiite community that use this system,” the official stated, speaking on condition of anonymity. He added, “Al-Qard Al-Hassan doesn’t belong to the Lebanese state; they belong to Hezbollah.”
