By David Saffer
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Joe Biden discussed a retaliatory strike against Iran earlier this week following last week’s attack on Israel.
The first direct talks for a number of weeks between the leaders was followed by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant confirming the IDF’s intent during a visit to Unit 9900 of the IDF’s Intelligence Directorate.
Gallant was briefed on the unit’s operations in Lebanon and their readiness for future activities.
“We can see the entire Middle East,” he told troops. “Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iraq and everywhere else.
“The recent Iranian attacks against Israel were aggressive, however they failed because they were not precise. The Air Force was unharmed, all the runways are operational, our activities are ongoing, not a single aircraft was damaged, not a single soldier or civilian was harmed.
“On the other hand, when we look at your abilities, the abilities of the IDF, of the Intelligence Division, of the Air Force and the entire defense establishment, you are accurate and powerful. As we have shown until now in this war whoever attacks Israel will pay a price. Our strike will be powerful, precise, and above all, surprising. They will not understand what happened and how it happened.”
Gallant was due to hold talks in Washington with US officials but Netanyahu stopped the visit until he had spoken with Biden.
Tensions remain high in Israel with security services on high alert.
While the IDF continue to bombard Hezbollah and Hamas targets, a spokesman confirmed 90 rockets from Lebanon were fired towards the Upper Galilee and Haifa Bay.
Twenty missiles struck Kiryat Shmona, killing a couple, aged 40, walking their dog. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attack. According to reports, the Iron Dome failed due to a malfunction.
MDA treated three people for light wounds in Haifa Bay. Eight people were treated at Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa.
Meantime, six people were injured in a stabbing attack in Hadera, three are in a serious condition at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, one of whom who sadly passed away early Thursday morning.
And an Israeli-Arab from Umm al-Fahm committed a terror attack in Herzliya. Two people are in a critical condition. Armed citizens caught the terrorist at the bay.
The incidents followed terror attacks in Tel Aviv last Tuesday and Beersheba on Sunday.
In the past 48 hours, according to reports, the IAF struck at least 185 military targets of Hezbollah in Lebanon and 45 Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.