Israel’s top commander promises retaliation against Iran

Israel is currently planning its response to Iran’s recent drone and missile attacks, Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said on Monday. He did not indicate when that response would take place.

What would this response entail? Halevi also did not provide details about the nature of Israel’s response, but told Israeli Air Force personnel that he trusts their abilities and that they will be required for Israel’s next steps against Iran.

Initial post, 10:20 a.m.

Israel War Cabinet to meet as world leaders urge peace

International leaders on Monday expressed support for Israel following a mass aerial attack by Iran over the weekend. World leaders at the same time cautioned Israel against a direct counter-attack on Iran, although Israel is already at war with Hamas terrorists backed by Iran. France has condemned Iran’s attack on Israel and called for restraint, according to a statement from President Emmanuel Macron. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron likewise offered the United Kingdom’s support. He is talking to his counterparts in Germany, Turkey, Jordan, and the United States to prevent escalation, he said. Pope Francis also made a public appeal to stop any actions that would fuel violence and exacerbate conflict in the Middle East.

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg spoke with Iran Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and condemned the nation’s attack in Israel, urging a de-escalation of the conflict. Iran launched the mass strike in response to an aerial attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria two weeks ago, which Amir-Abdollahian claims Israel is behind.

How has Israel responded to calls for temperance? Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz thanked Britain and France for their help in blocking Iran’s attack but emphasized Israel’s commitment to defend its citizens. Katz asked both nations to impose crippling sanctions, insisting Iran must pay a price for the attack. The Israel Defense Force has also approved offensive and defensive plans in response to Iran’s mass aerial attack over the weekend, IDF Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a statement. The country’s war cabinet is scheduled to meet Monday afternoon to discuss the next steps against Iran.

What else has the IDF said of the attack? Iran on Sunday launched over 350 suicide drones, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and rockets from Iran, Iraq, Yemen, and Hezbollah in Lebanon toward Israel, Hagari said. An allied coalition led by the United States, Britain, and France thwarted about 99 percent of the attack, the IDF said. Israel’s priority is bringing home the hostages taken by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack, Hagari said.

Dig deeper: Read Josh Schumacher’s report in The Sift on the initial attack over the weekend.