Israeli media: Iran response deterred 'Israel', collapsed barrier
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Israeli media reports that the occupation entity is facing a dilemma regarding how to respond to Iran's operation, as all options risk a regional escalation.
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This handout picture provided by the Iranian Defense Ministry on February 17, 2024, shows a Sayad-3 missile during the unveiling of the Arman defense systems at an undisclosed location. (AFP)
The Israeli government is confronted with a difficult dilemma, to "contain" Iran's response, or to launch another attack against the Islamic Republic and risk escalation after the IRGC directly struck its internal front for the first time, the Israeli Walla! news site said in a Sunday report.
According to the outlet, by opposing an Israeli response, US President Joe Biden "has placed the Israeli government against difficult choices."
Read more: IRGC launches 'unprecedented' retaliatory attack on 'Israel'
Israeli journalist Amir Bohbot considered that any future confrontation with Iran could end with "a barrage of drones and ballistic missiles," similar to those that targeted the occupied territories early Sunday, as "the dam (barrier) was breached and has collapsed."
He said that the "Israel" is "not in a hurry" to attack Iran, even though this "damages Israel's deterrence."
Attack a symbolic target in response?
Highlighting Iran's announcement that "the incident is over," threatening to carry out a more intensified operation if the occupation commits another attack, Walla! noted that targeting senior officials or bases in Iran "could lead to a worse situation."
Read more: Iranian response to be tougher if 'Israel' makes any move: Ghalibaf
As a result, "senior officials in the Israeli army will be asked to assess potential Iranian responses and will have to receive a series of recommendations on whether to target bases or some individuals," the site added.
In the same context, Walla! also mentioned that Israeli officials will also have to consider carrying out a "limited operation [and attacking] a symbolic target."
Meanwhile, the third option involves "Israel not rushing into an attack, taking into consideration that Iran intended to strike airbases and undermine the Israeli Army's superiority in the Middle East."
Read more: IRGC chief: Strike on 'Israel' more successful than expected
Close coordination with US
Citing Israeli security sources, the outlet said that the main discussion between Chief of Staff Hertzl Halevi and Military Intelligence Chief Aharon Haliva with the political leadership will revolve around two questions: whether to attack based on the results of Iran's response, or its intent to target Israeli air force bases in the entity.
Security officials estimated that the War Cabinet and heads of the security establishment "will recommend close coordination with the Americans as a condition for the attack, and will decide on a response that will not lead to a continuous war in the region."
Maariv reported that former Israeli Air Force chief, Brigadier General Tzvika Haimovitch, said, "The event is still [ongoing], and it is too early to close it and talk about it in the past tense," warning against underestimating Iran, and describing it as "a formidable enemy."
The military affairs correspondent for Israel Hayom, Lilach Shoval stressed the need to take Iranian threats seriously, noting that discussions in "Israel" currently "revolve around changing the equation."
Read more: Any Israeli response will be met with a harsher, stronger one: Raisi
Shoval pointed out that "Israel has been attacking targets, personnel, and scientists from Iran for years, in the shadows and behind the scenes," but now it will have to consider "whether it is worth doing so, after it believed [earlier] it could without Iran retaliating."
In light of this, the correspondent concluded that the Iranian response "achieved deterrence against Israel, where it will think twice about what it will do."
Speaking to Israeli Channel 12, Shoval affirmed that Iran "demonstrated boldness, fire capabilities, and effectiveness," as it launched dozens of drones and missiles towards "Israel," despite clear warnings from the US President, who told them "don't," and declared his "ironclad" support for "Israel".
For its part, Channel 14 described the Iranian response as "the harshest response in terms of significance and context since Israel was established."
