Israel signals readiness for pre-emptive strikes against Iran, Hezbollah

Israel has left the door open for possible pre-emptive strikes against Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Anadolu reported, citing remarks made by government spokesperson David Mencer.

During a press briefing yesterday, Mencer neither confirmed nor denied whether the United States is preventing Israel from conducting pre-emptive strikes against Iran and Hezbollah amidst threats of retaliation for assassinations in Tehran and Beirut.

“In the past, we have carried out some remarkable pre-emptive strikes and did not wait for an attack on us when an attack appeared imminent,” Mencer said.

“Israel will take the appropriate action decided by its elected government to protect the people, and there is no doubt this country will be safeguarded,” he continued.

“If any pre-emptive action needs to be taken, it will be authorised by the government and directed to the Israeli military, which will carry out the government’s decisions.”

Israel has raised its state of alert in recent days, anticipating military retaliation from Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas following the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last Wednesday, and prominent Hezbollah military leader Fuad Shukr in Beirut a day earlier.

Meanwhile, Israeli calls have intensified for “pre-emptive strikes” to prevent a potential retaliation. However, military experts, such as former Israeli National Security advisor to PM Yaakov Amidror, believe that while a pre-emptive strike against Hezbollah is feasible, a similar move against Iran could be complicated due to the distance between the two countries.

READ: Israel calls for ‘quick transition to offense’ in case of Iran attack