Israel braces for imminent Iranian retaliation following assassination
8:54 AM EDT, August 5, 2024
Israel is preparing for the retaliatory attack promised by Iran for the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Preparations include, among others, a bunker for the command and satellite phones for the most important people in the state. According to Axios, the attack will occur on Monday, August 5.
The internal security service Shin Bet has prepared a command bunker in Jerusalem capable of withstanding serious attacks, where high-ranking leaders can stay for extended periods in case of war, the Walla portal reported on Sunday. It was previously reported that satellite phones were distributed to members of the government and senior officials in case the terrestrial and mobile networks are destroyed.
The military command responsible for civil defense has also completed tests of a new alarm system for the population, which sends SMS warnings to all mobile phone owners in a given area. The system will help in emergencies such as a rocket attack on Israel, the command noted. Additionally, Israel has an alarm siren system, and in case of danger, warnings are also visible in the civil defense app and broadcast in the media.
Minister of Transport Miri Regev has ordered the organization of flights to Cyprus to help Israelis stranded abroad due to many airlines canceling flights to and from Tel Aviv, Channel 12 television reported. Israelis wanting to return to the country are also being brought back by military transport planes. The authorities recommend that citizens head to Greece and Cyprus, where transport to Israel will be organized.
Escalation in the Middle East
The situation in the Middle East is the most tense it has been in months and threatens further escalation of the conflict involving Israel, Iran, and their allied Palestinian Hamas, Lebanese Hezbollah, and Yemeni Houthi groups.
After Israel’s recent strike on Beirut and the alleged attack in Tehran, where high-ranking leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah were killed, Iran and its allies have vowed revenge.
The USA has vowed to help Israel repel any potential attack and is strengthening its forces in the Middle East, but there are growing concerns that the spiral of attacks could lead to full-scale war. President Joe Biden and American diplomacy emphasize the need to reduce tensions.
