Israel braces for imminent attacks as regional tensions soar
Israel is preparing for a potential attack. Observations of military movements indicate that special military units are being dispatched to Tel Aviv and other cities. Simultaneously, the United States is also taking action by relocating its F/A-18 fighter jets to a base in the Middle East. Plans for deploying F-22 aircraft there are also underway.
6:56 PM EDT, August 7, 2024
Israel is mobilizing its forces in response to threats of retaliation from Hezbollah and Hamas following the deaths of their leaders. As reported two days ago by Israel's Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, Iran has already decided to attack Israel. This information was conveyed by Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, who contacted Minister Katz directly, relaying a message from Iran's Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri.
In response, the Israeli military command responsible for civil defense has directed Ram Battalion units, specializing in search and rescue missions, to Tel Aviv. Their task will be to provide assistance in case of building collapses or other destruction caused by potential attacks.
Israel expects a strike. An attack could happen any day now
Soldiers have been deployed near one of the city's largest sports halls, which also houses a civil defense vehicle base. The military reported that rescue units have also been deployed in Haifa and several other cities in northern Israel, as well as in the south, including Eilat, and in the center of the country.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a visit to soldiers at one of the bases, called for calm and composure. He assured that Israel is prepared for both defensive and offensive operations.
Meanwhile, the United States is intensifying its diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions in the region and prevent uncontrolled escalation that could lead to open war. The U.S. is strengthening its forces in the Middle East and preparing to provide Israel with military support to repel the expected attack.
About 10 F/A-18 fighter jets and an E-2D Hawkeye early warning aircraft from the Navy landed at a base in the Middle East on Monday. They arrived from the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt stationed in the Gulf of Oman.
According to information provided by AP, the presence of these aircraft at the base is expected to be temporary. In the coming days, they are to be replaced by F-22 fighter jets arriving from Alaska.
The situation in the Middle East became critical when on July 30, in an Israeli attack on Beirut, Lebanese Hezbollah's military leader, Fuad Shukr, was killed. The next day, in an attack on Tehran, Hamas' political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed. Iran and Hamas accuse Israel of his death, but Israel has not confirmed its involvement in the assassination.
Israel is preparing for the possibility of several days of rocket and drone raids from Iran and its allies. Iran's retaliatory attack may be synchronized with strikes by its allies.
Another escalation could occur soon. In April, in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike on Damascus, which killed several senior commanders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Iran launched hundreds of rockets and drones. Most of the missiles were intercepted, largely thanks to assistance from the U.S., the U.K., and other allies.
