According to the Israeli public broadcaster Kan 11, under the pretext of an attack on the prime minister’s home in Caesarea, a number of government ministers and those close to Netanyahu are exerting pressure to escalate the expected Israeli attack on Iran in response to its missile attack at the beginning of this month, even though “the targets have been chosen.” To attack Iran in advance.
According to sources, Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy’s response to the ministers was that the IDF was acting in accordance with the directives of the political echelon, which had not yet given Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant the authority to decide on the attack. It is expected that the visit of US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, scheduled to Israel on Tuesday, will delay the Israeli response in light of the pressure exerted by Washington.
Channel 13 reported that the ministers launched a sharp attack on the Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army, during the session, in coordination with Netanyahu, who held a session with a number of ministers close to him before the “cabinet” meeting, where coordination was made regarding attacking Levy and the leaders of the security services during the meeting.
The report stated, “Shortly before the cabinet session was held, Netanyahu met with the ministers and members of the council, with the exception of Defense Minister Yoav Galant, who was present in a session to assess the security situation, and during the meeting it was agreed that the ministers would criticize senior officials in the security services at the end of the session.” “.
She added, “At the beginning of the cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said that this was considered crossing a red line, and he asked to hear some ideas.” Among the ideas presented, Transportation Minister Miri Regev said that “direct strikes must be directed at Iran,” while Ministers Avi Dichter and Yariv Levin called for “strikes on senior officials in Lebanon” in light of the march that targeted Netanyahu’s house that came from Lebanon.
According to informed sources, the ministers, including Itamar Ben Gvir, Regev and Herzi Halevy, accused that the army’s response was not as strong as required. Some ministers, such as Regev and Ben Gvir, called for direct strikes on Iran and the assassination of prominent leadership figures in Lebanon and the region.
Gallant considered that “the incident represents a dangerous transgression that requires a strict response,” stressing that Israel “was able to strike important targets in the southern suburb of Beirut last night, as part of the response to the attack.”
However, some military officials indicated that these criticisms were “pre-orchestrated,” which they considered “a trap set against the Israeli army.”
On the other hand, Ben Gvir said, “A prominent leadership figure in the region must be eliminated.” Minister Eli Cohen added: “It is a crazy event. In any war, there was no attempt to assassinate a prime minister.” Gallant said, “I was going to suggest assassinating Hassan Nasrallah, but it was too late, as we assassinated him.”
After the ministers’ criticism, Halevy responded, saying: “We are succeeding in thwarting a lot of drones. We have strengthened capabilities and we continue to learn and improve.” There was a response (to targeting Caesarea). We struck important targets in Beirut, in the heart of the suburb. The goal needed to install evidence, we don’t drop buildings randomly. We are preparing for more powerful strikes next night.”
At the end of Halevy’s interventions, the government’s legal advisor, Ghali Beharav-Meara, addressed the matter and said: “Unjustified destruction of property constitutes a war crime.” Minister Dodi Amsalem responded to her, saying: “And if we run out of targets and they continue to launch hundreds of missiles daily, will we remain idle because we have no justification?”
Source: Agencies
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