Israel will retaliate against Iran strikes: Gallant
Israel’s war cabinet is set to meet for the third time today, Tuesday, 16 April.
Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant has said that Israel will retaliate against Iran’s strikes on it on 13-14 April.
Axios has reported that Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant has told Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Sunday that Israel has no choice but to respond to the unprecedented missile and drone attack launched by Iran over the weekend.
The publication said that the Biden administration and several other Western countries allied with Israel are urging Benjamin Netanyahu’s government not to rush into a retaliation against Iran that could lead to a regional war.
Israel’s war cabinet met on Monday evening but was unable to come to any decision. Israel’s five-person war cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, concluded the meeting without comment on whether the Jewish state will honor its pledge to “exact a price” from Tehran or concede to calls for a measured response from international leaders.
Herzi Halevi, chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, said that “Israel is considering next steps” and that “the launch of so many missiles and drones to Israeli territory will be answered with a retaliation.
Also on Monday , ahead of a meeting with Iraq’s deputy prime minister, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. is coordinating a diplomatic response to the Iranian attack intended to prevent further escalation.
President Biden said during a meeting with Iraq’s prime minister: “We’re committed to a ceasefire that will bring the hostages home and prevent the conflict from spreading beyond what it already has. The United States is committed to Israel’s security.
“[Biden] is certainly not looking for a war with Iran and I am confident that Prime Minister Netanyahu is aware of the president’s concerns,” White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters.
Israel’s war cabinet is set to meet for the third time today, Tuesday, 16 April.
According to reports more than 300 missiles and drones, including the “Shahed” suicide drone, were launched by Iran on Israel.,most of which Israel is said to have intercepted with US, British, and French help. Iran’s regional allies in the region also joined the attack, with Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Lebanon ‘s Hezbollah raining drones and missiles on Israel.
On the eve of the assault Tehran seized an Israeli-linked ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
