On the Lebanese front, the Israeli Defense Forces struck deep into northeastern Lebanon on Sunday, hitting what it called a “major weapons manufacturing site” belonging to Hezbollah. The Lebanese group fired around 40 rockets into northern Israel during the Iranian attack, according to the IDF.
Ultranationalists and far-right parties in his governing coalition are putting increasing pressure on Netanyahu for a major response. Itamar Ben-Gvir, Minister of National Security, and Bezalel Smotrich, the country’s Finance Minister, are both urging the Israeli leader not to be influenced by US officials who are warning him of retaliation.
“Bibi listens to everyone and he will try to balance all the demands made on him, but I don’t see him refraining from retaliation,” a government official, who requested anonymity, told POLITICO. Express freely.
“We realize that this is a turning point that will benefit Israel diplomatically if it is well managed,” the official continued. “The attack tore off the mask and showed the world what Iran is and we don’t want any of our actions to distract from that.” This is an opportunity for us to build a much stronger anti-Iran coalition, if we play smart. So yes, there will be reprisals, I don’t see how Bibi couldn’t do it, but there won’t just be guns; it will be more limited and measured to make a point and not offend our allies who helped us so much last night.
War Minister Benny Gantz hinted at the same thing, saying in a statement: “We will build a regional coalition and demand the price from Iran in a way and time that suits us.” »
Danny Danon, a former Israeli envoy to the United Nations, told POLITICO that a counterattack was inevitable. “In our neighborhood, it would be irresponsible not to retaliate after such an unprecedented attack by Iran against Israel,” he argued.
Danon, now a Likud lawmaker who twice challenged Netanyahu for the party leadership and may do so again, added: “We know that Iran is behind all their proxies, and this is the first time that they decide to attack us directly. We have no other way than to send a clear message that this is a mistake and that we will not accept it. Failure to retaliate would result in a new attack on Tehran.”
Politico
