Israel has reportedly planned to hit Iran “clearly and forcefully” after being attacked with missiles and drones on Saturday, April 13. According to a report by Israel’s Channel 12 news, the decision was made after two war cabinet meetings where leaders of Israel strategized on how to respond to the attack.
The report stated that Israel’s air force, which includes US-made F-16, F-15, and F-35 fighter jets, has been gearing up to launch a counter-strike. The attack is intended to send a message that Israel “will not allow an attack of that magnitude against it to pass without a reaction.” However, Israeli leaders do not anticipate that the counter-attack will escalate into a larger conflict.
US President Joe Biden and allies have urged Israel to exercise restraint and have informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US will not support a counter-attack. Israel’s military chief, Lt. Gen Herzi Halevi, has also warned that Iran’s actions will be met with a response, although the timing has not been specified.
In response to the attack, Israel has vowed to “exact a price” from Iran. Minister Benny Gantz stated that Israel will build a regional coalition against the threat of Iran and retaliate in a manner and time that suits them. Iran, on the other hand, has threatened to launch a deadlier attack on Israel if it retaliates and has warned the US against supporting a counteroffensive. Tehran has also threatened to target US garrisons in Syria, Jordan, and Iraq. The tension between the two nations continues to escalate, with the threat of further military action looming.