Israel promises to retaliate
Army chief vows response to Iran’s attack as world calls for a truce
TEL AVIV: Israel’s army chief has vowed to respond to Iran’s unprecedented attack against the country which has prompted appeals for de-escalation by world leaders fearing wider conflict.
Tensions surged even higher in the region with Tehran’s first direct assault on Israel on the weekend, in retaliation for a deadly April 1 strike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus.
“This launch of so many (Iranian) missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs into the territory of the State of Israel will be met with a response,” Israeli army chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi said, addressing troops at the Nevatim military base hit in Iran’s barrage.
But the military also said it would not be distracted from its war against Hamas in Gaza.
Iranian proxies and allies who say they act in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have engaged in violence against Israel in the six months of its war with Hamas, but this was the first time Iran itself became directly involved.
Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel late on Saturday, according to Israel’s military which said nearly all were intercepted.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with his war cabinet late on Monday to discuss possible reactions as Israel issued its first official comment on the deadly Syria strike.
“These were people who engaged in terrorism against the State of Israel,” military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said of the seven members Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps killed in the consular attack.
Tehran says its missile and drone barrage against Israel was the first act of a tough new strategy. The Iranian president’s political deputy, Mohammad Jamshidi, said the “era of strategic patience is over” and further targeting Iranian assets “will be met with a direct, punishing response”.
Tehran said it considered the matter “concluded” unless Israel chose to commit “another mistake”.
The US, Israel’s top military supplier, played a key role in shooting down the Iranian missiles and drones.
US officials, increasingly critical of the civilian death toll in Gaza, have urged caution on Israel after Iran’s attack.
“We don’t seek escalation, but we’ll continue to support the defence of Israel and to protect our personnel in the region,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
US President Joe Biden has told Mr Netanyahu that Washington would not offer military support for any retaliation against Iran.
Mr Netanyahu has been less vocal than usual since Iran’s attack, but said late on Monday, local time, that the international community “must continue to stand united in resisting this Iranian aggression”.
After a White House meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani, Mr Biden focused on a ceasefire.
“We’re committed to a ceasefire that will bring the hostages home and prevent the conflict spreading beyond what it already has,” he said.
A United States official said the hope was that “in the light of day” Israel would see it had won a “spectacular success” in defending Iran’s attack, which resulted in no reported deaths.