Shin Bet prepares underground bunker to protect Netanyahu, senior officials from possible Iran attack

Israel’s Shin Bet security service is reportedly preparing a bunker in Jerusalem where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior officials can remain for an extended period during a war, Israel’s Walla news site reported yesterday.

Earlier, the American website Axios cited three American and Israeli sources as saying that Iran may carry out an attack on Israel as early as today.

The news website added that the US administration expects the Iranian response to be similar to the attack carried out by Tehran on 13 April, but it may be larger in scope and may include operations by Hezbollah in Lebanon.

For its part, Israel Hayom reported estimates that Iran possesses very advanced ballistic missiles which it may use in such an attack on Israel.

On Saturday, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation said Israel is preparing for a coordinated response between Iran and allied parties and groups in Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq.

Read: Israel adds new conditions to Gaza ceasefire proposal

It added that the response may include launching ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones.

Israel’s internal security service Shabak has raised the security level for Netanyahu and his ministers in anticipation of an Iranian response to the assassination of Hezbollah commander, Fuad Shukr, and Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, last week.

The Israeli government has also distributed satellite phones to ministers and senior officials amid fears that the communications network may be targeted.

Yedioth Ahronoth also quoted informed sources as saying that the Israeli army has asked a number of factories in northern Israel to empty the stock of toxic gases for fear that Hezbollah will target them.