JERUSALEM (AP).—Israel’s Defense Minister warned yesterday that his country’s retaliation for a recent Iranian missile attack will be “lethal” and “surprising,” while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the President of the United States, Joe Biden, they had their first call in seven weeks.
In Gaza, a large-scale Israeli operation in the north of the Palestinian territory left dozens dead and threatened to close three hospitals after a year of war with Hamas, Palestinian officials and residents said.
During a visit to an intelligence unit yesterday, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said: “Our attack will be lethal, precise and, above all, surprising. They won’t understand what happened and how. They will see the results.”
Iran fired about 180 missiles at Israel last week in an escalation of the conflict between the two countries, in retaliation for the deaths of two Hamas and Hezbollah militant leaders.
The cycle of destruction and death in Gaza, triggered by the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel, comes as Israel expands a ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon and considers launching a major attack. retaliation against Iran after the discharge of Iranian missiles against Israel on October 1.
Against the backdrop of the fighting, Netanyahu and Biden held their first call in seven weeks yesterday, the prime minister’s office reported.
Israel has been debating how to respond to the Iranian missile attack, which the United States helped repel. Biden has said he would not support a retaliatory strike against facilities linked to Tehran’s nuclear program.
In northern Gaza, heavy fighting occurred in Jabaliya, where Israeli forces have carried out several major operations throughout the war and then returned as fighters regrouped.
The entire northern area, including Gaza City, has suffered extensive destruction and has been largely isolated by Israeli forces since late last year.
Leaders Call
Biden asks Netanyahu to reduce harm to civilians in Lebanon and dialogue in Gaza.
Urgent agreement
The President of the United States, Joe Biden, yesterday urged the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, to minimize damage to civilians in his offensive in Lebanon and spoke with him about the “urgent need” to reach a diplomatic agreement with the Hamas group.
Discrepancy
The White House described the talk between the leaders as “frank and direct,” whose relationship is at its most tense since the start of the war in Gaza. According to Washington, the call lasted 30 minutes, but the “Times of Israel,” citing sources in Netanyahu’s office, claims it was 50.
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Interview with Military Analyst Dr. Rachel Cohen on Israel’s Strategic Response to Recent Escalations
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Cohen. With recent escalations in the Middle East, particularly following the Iranian missile attack on Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, what can you tell us about Israel’s military posture?
Dr. Rachel Cohen: Thank you for having me. Israel’s military stance has indeed become significantly more aggressive in the aftermath of the recent Iranian missile strike. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has emphasized that their response will be “lethal, precise, and surprising.” This suggests a shift towards a more offensive strategy aimed at countering not just Iranian aggression, but also the capabilities of groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
Interviewer: The Israeli Defense Minister mentioned that the retaliation would be surprising. What kind of actions do you think Israel might undertake that would fit this characterization?
Dr. Cohen: In military terms, a “surprising” retaliation often involves tactics that are unforeseen by the enemy, perhaps targeting command centers, fueling infrastructure, or utilizing advanced technologies that disrupt their operations. We could also see a shift in tactics that targets high-level figures or key logistical hubs supporting these militant groups, aiming to create a significant impact in both their operational capabilities and morale.
Interviewer: While all this is happening, there is also a significant humanitarian crisis in Gaza due to the ongoing conflict. Do you think Israel will face any international backlash for its military actions in this context?
Dr. Cohen: Yes, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is a significant concern. Any large-scale military operations, especially those that lead to civilian casualties or further destruction of infrastructure, could indeed provoke international condemnation. There’s a delicate balance Israel must strike — responding to security threats while managing global perceptions and the humanitarian situation on the ground. International reaction will be crucial, particularly in light of the U.S. involvement and President Biden’s recent communication with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Interviewer: Speaking of international relations, how important is the timing of Biden’s call with Netanyahu, especially given the uncertainty surrounding this conflict?
Dr. Cohen: The timing of their call is very important. It shows a level of continued U.S. support for Israel in a turbulent time, but it also indicates that the U.S. administration is keenly aware of the potential fallout from Israeli military actions. They may be discussing not just military strategies but also diplomatic efforts to alleviate humanitarian concerns and prevent further escalation of the conflict.
Interviewer: Thank you for your insights, Dr. Cohen. It certainly seems like a precarious situation that could evolve in multiple directions.
Dr. Cohen: Absolutely. The coming weeks will be crucial, and we must keep a close eye on developments as they unfold. Thank you for having me.
Interview with Military Analyst Dr. Rachel Cohen on Israel’s Strategic Response to Recent Escalations
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Cohen. With recent escalations in the Middle East, particularly following the Iranian missile attack on Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, what can you tell us about Israel’s military posture?
Dr. Rachel Cohen: Thank you for having me. Israel’s military stance has indeed become significantly more aggressive in the aftermath of the recent Iranian missile strike. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has emphasized that their response will be “lethal, precise, and surprising.” This suggests a shift towards a more offensive strategy aimed at countering not just Iranian aggression, but also the capabilities of groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
Interviewer: The Israeli Defense Minister mentioned that the retaliation would be surprising. What kind of actions do you think Israel might undertake that would fit this characterization?
Dr. Cohen: In military terms, a “surprising” retaliation often involves tactics that are unforeseen by the enemy. This could include targeting command centers, supply lines, or critical infrastructure supporting these militant groups. Israel might also employ advanced technologies or cyber capabilities to disrupt operations, aiming to target high-level figures or key logistical hubs, which could significantly impact both the operational capabilities and morale of these groups.
Interviewer: While all this is happening, there is also a significant humanitarian crisis in Gaza due to the ongoing conflict. Do you think Israel will consider the humanitarian impact in its military strategy?
Dr. Cohen: That’s a complex issue. While Israel’s leadership, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, is focused on military objectives, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is becoming dire, especially with reports of casualties and hospital closures due to the intense fighting[6[6]. President Biden has called for minimizing civilian harm, which indicates international pressure for Israel to be mindful of humanitarian consequences in its operations[6[6]. However, the current military objectives may take precedence, potentially leading to further escalation of civilian suffering.
Interviewer: Given the scale of the recent Iranian missile attack and the ongoing conflict, what do you foresee as the potential outcomes of these military actions?
Dr. Cohen: The situation is extremely volatile. A successful Israeli retaliation could deter further Iranian aggression, but it might also provoke a more intense response from Tehran or its proxies, leading to a wider regional conflict. Alternatively, if both sides manage to engage in some diplomatic dialogue—perhaps pressured by international actors including the U.S.—we might see a temporary de-escalation. However, right now, both sides seem entrenched in their positions, with military confrontations dominating the narrative.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Cohen, for your insights on this critical and evolving situation in the Middle East.
Dr. Cohen: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we continue to monitor these developments closely.
