Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that "Israel" was prepared for a "direct attack from Iran" following its threats of retaliation against the aggression that targeted the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus.

"Our defense systems are deployed, we are prepared for any scenario, both in defense and attack," he said in a televised statement, adding that "Israel" had the backing of the United States and "many" countries.

He claimed that the occupation has for years and especially in "recent weeks" been preparing for such an attack, citing that "defense systems" are deployed and the occupation is "prepared for any scenario, both in defense and offense."

Fearing Iran's anticipated retaliation, "Israel" has imposed strict measures across occupied Palestine, with the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) announcing significant restrictions on civilian activities.

US army reinforcements are on their way to the Middle East amid worries that "Israel's" war on Gaza may spark a larger regional conflict, especially amid the anticipated Iranian retaliation to the Israeli attack on its consulate in Syria. 

One US defense official told The Washington Post that "additional assets" were being moved to "bolster regional deterrence efforts and increase force protection for U.S. forces."

#Iranian television reported that the I-R-G-C initiated an attack against targets in the occupied #Palestinian territories.

The IR-GC confirmed carrying out an operation using drones and missiles in retaliation for the bombing of the Iranian consulate in #Syria by the Zionist… pic.twitter.com/NYif6xcnCi

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 13, 2024

Daniel Hagari, IOF Spokesman, declared the implementation of new guidelines, citing fear over a potential Iranian retaliation on Israeli-occupied soil.

“The State of Israel is strong, the IDF is strong, the public is strong," he asserted.

Netanyahu also thanked the US and other allies like the UK and France for "standing by Israel's side."

"Whoever hurts us, we will hurt them. We will defend ourselves from any threat and we will do so calmly and with determination.”

The Israeli PM also expressed his deluded belief that Israeli citizens are "also keeping calm."

The PM seems to have missed out on the news of the thousands of Israelis protesting and blaming him for captives who are still being held in Gaza and are very much not calm at all.

Netanyahu appears indifferent to captives fate, undermined deal effort

In a related context, Netanyahu's office denied reports that he had any responsibility in preventing the release of captives and blamed Hamas for being the "only obstacle".

Families of captives held in Gaza held protests against Netanyahu who looks unconcerned about the plight of Israeli captives and has hampered efforts to strike an agreement to guarantee their release.

According to Channel 13, around 45,000 people demonstrated in "Tel Aviv" last Saturday, with organizers claiming 100,000 were there. 

Today's demonstrations came after two members of "Israel's" negotiation team told Channel 12 in a broadcast aired Thursday that Netanyahu looks unconcerned about the plight of Israeli captives and has hampered efforts to strike an agreement to guarantee their release.

The anonymous negotiators, recognized only by the letters "A" and "D", wished to expose the fact that "Israel" was not doing everything it could to free the captives.

"A", who spoke with a modified voice to conceal his identity, highlighted a culture of "cold indifference" to the captives' condition from "the top", notably the Prime Minister's Office, and said that Netanyahu was unable to consider fresh ideas during strategy discussions.

"I can't say that without Netanyahu there would have been a deal, but I can say that without Netanyahu, the chances of making a deal would be better," according to "D".

“It happens again and again, we get a mandate during the day, and then the prime minister makes phone calls at night. He says, ‘Don’t say this, don’t approve that."

"A" also stated that the Israeli team has been compelled to make unreasonable requests, such as the March request for a list of surviving captives, which they know Hamas will not accede to.