This weekend has continue to see limited exchanges of fire involving Hezbollah along Israel's northern border, but the jittery wait persists with Israelis heading into a new work week with the expected big Iranian retaliation immediately on the horizon for the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last Wednesday.
Many international airlines have already suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut in anticipation for a wider conflict. In a fresh weekend speech, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has presented a scenario of Israel already finding itself in a multi-front war. "We are striking every one of its arms with great force. We are prepared for any scenario — both offensively and defensively," he told his weekly cabinet meeting. He said in the Sunday remarks that Israel is "in a multi-front war against Iran’s evil axis."
"I reiterate and tell our enemies: We will respond and we will exact a heavy price for any act of aggression against us, from whatever quarter," he added.
This time it's expected that Hezbollah could play a bigger role in any Iranian retaliation (compared to the first ballistic missile and drone attack of April 13). Israeli officials have also expressed concern for the many citizens traveling and working abroad - as they too could be targets of an Iranian reprisal attack or terrorist act.
The NY Times observed, "For Israel, the travel disruptions added to the sense that it was no longer in control of its own fate and had no clear plan for quieting its many conflicts."
Several Israeli and US defense officials have told Axios that they expect a major Iranian retaliation to come as early as Monday. Not only has the Pentagon moved extra naval assets into the Eastern Mediterranean area, but the head of Central Command (CENTCOM), Gen. Michael Kurilla has traveled to the region for a pre-planned trip.
Israeli media and officials have warned that a 'five front' war could open up, and they are seeking the support of an international coalition of allies that once again includes America and Britain:
The Israeli security establishment is on "peak alert" and members of a US-led international coalition — including Britain and allied Arab states — aimed at thwarting potential Iranian attacks on “several fronts” are braced to try to deter and intercept them, Channel 12 reported.
Among the precautions taken are patrols by combat aircraft and warships of allied countries in the area, the report said, without citing sources or providing further details.
Israel’s leadership has been holding discussions on how the country would respond to such attacks, including what the network described as "a readiness for an entry into all-out war in this context."
The five fronts would involve attacks from Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, Iranian assets in Syria, Iraqi paramilitary units, and direct missile launches from Iran itself.
Whatever happens is expected to be bigger that the April 13 attack which saw many dozens of drones and ballistic missiles rain down on Israel, but most of which were intercepted, also with the help of US fighter jets.
Italy announced Sunday that G7 ministers expressed "strong concern about the recent events that could lead to a wider regional spread of the crisis, starting with Lebanon." The statement calls on "the parties concerned to desist from any initiative that could hinder the path of dialogue and moderation and encourage a new escalation." Many Israeli citizens and opposition leaders have accused Netanyahu of leading the country to the brink of bigger war for the sake of his political survival and furtherance as a war time prime prime minister.
via zer0hedge
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel is already in a “multi-front war” with Iran and its proxies, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a Cabinet meeting Sunday, as the United States and allies prepared to defend Israel from an expected counterstrike and prevent an even more destructive regional conflict.
Tensions have soared following nearly 10 months of war in Gaza and the killing last week of a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon and Hamas’ top political leader in Iran. Iran and its allies have blamed Israel and threatened retaliation. Hamas says it has begun discussions on choosing a new leader.
Netanyahu said Israel was ready for any scenario. Jordan’s foreign minister was making a rare trip to Iran as part of diplomatic efforts — “We want the escalation to end,” Ayman Safadi said — while the Pentagon has moved significant assets to the region.
“We are doing everything possible to make sure that this situation does not boil over,” White House deputy national security adviser Jon Finer told ABC.
In Israel, some prepared bomb shelters and recalled Iran’s unprecedented direct military assault in April following a suspected Israeli strike that killed two Iranian generals. Israel said almost all the drones and ballistic and cruise missiles were intercepted.
A stabbing attack on Sunday near Tel Aviv killed a woman in her 70s and an 80-year-old man, according to Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service, and two others were wounded. The police said the attack was carried out by a Palestinian militant, who was “neutralized.”
Inside Gaza, the Health Ministry said at least 25 people were killed and 19 others injured when Israel struck two schools in Gaza City. AP video showed at least one child among the dead. Israel’s military, which regularly accuses Palestinian militants of sheltering in civilian areas, said it hit Hamas command centers.
“As you can see, there is no equipment to recover the injured. Rescuers are digging with their hands,” said one man, Yusuf Al-Mashharawi.
Earlier, Israeli strikes killed at least 18 people. One hit a tent camp for thousands of displaced Palestinians in the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, killing four people, including one woman, the Health Ministry said. The Israeli military said it targeted a Palestinian militant in the strike, which it said caused secondary explosions, “indicating the presence of weaponry in the area.”
The hospital in Deir al-Balah is the main medical facility operating in central Gaza as many others in the territory no longer function. A separate strike on a home near Deir al-Balah killed a girl and her parents, according to the hospital.
Another strike flattened a house in northern Gaza, killing at least eight, including three children, their parents and their grandmother, according to the Health Ministry. Another three people were killed in a strike on a vehicle in Gaza City, according to Civil Defense first responders.
Palestinian militants in Gaza fired at least five projectiles at Israeli communities near the border without causing casualties or damage, the military said. The military later told people in some parts of the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis to evacuate.
The Health Ministry also said an Israeli strike on Saturday at a school-turned-shelter in Gaza City killed at least 16 people. Israel’s military said it struck a Hamas command center.
The war in Gaza was triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack into Israel that killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took around 250 people hostage.
Israel’s massive offensive in response has killed at least 39,580 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Heavy airstrikes and ground operations have caused widespread destruction and displaced the vast majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million people, often multiple times.
The militant group Hezbollah and Israel have continued to trade fire along the Lebanon border since the war began, with the severity growing in recent months. The Lebanese state-run National News Agency said an Israeli strike targeted a house in Beit Lef, and the Lebanese Health Ministry said two people were critically wounded.
Hezbollah says it’s aimed at relieving pressure on fellow Iran-backed ally Hamas. A growing number of countries, including the U.S., are encouraging citizens to leave Lebanon after last week’s killing of a senior commander.
via AP
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