Ahead of Rosh Hashanah and the beginning of the Jewish holiday season, Israel’s security establishment is at maximum readiness across all active fronts. As C14 reported yesterday (Wednesday) night, the arena currently ranked as the highest priority is also the most distant—Iran.
Senior political officials are delivering direct and unequivocal messages: If Iran attacks, the result will be a difficult, full-scale war—not a limited response or another round of fighting. “We will destroy their energy infrastructure within a short time,” officials warned. Earlier Thursday, senior defense officials held a security assessment at the Kirya in Tel Aviv, after which they decided to maintain the highest level of readiness, ensuring Israel is prepared both to defend itself and, if necessary, launch an offensive within a short period of time.
2+Following Israel’s completion of its takeover of the Ali Taher Ridge, Israeli soldiers there are prepared for the next phase, while officials are taking no chances amid the threats from Iran. Alongside Lebanon and Iran, readiness in the Gaza Strip remains extremely high over concerns that Hamas could attempt a major showcase terror attack three years after the Oct. 7 massacre. Judea and Samaria remains one of the security establishment’s most concerning arenas, and following a recent string of terror attacks carried out by Arab terrorists, the IDF is reinforcing its forces.
The situation across the region remains volatile and sensitive, and Israel is taking no chances. Officials across all levels are delivering a unified message: If Israel is attacked, it will strike back immediately and without compromise. Earlier Thursday, Defense Minister Israel Katz issued his own stark warning to Tehran, saying Iran’s mounting economic pressure and fears of an uprising could drive the regime to take desperate action against Israel.
2+“Given the possibility that, due to the economic stranglehold and the intense pressure Iran is under, they may decide to act against Israel, I once again warn the Iranian leadership: Any attack on Israel, for any reason and in any location, will be met with a powerful response—one that will inflict severe blows on Iran unlike any it has suffered to date, including against its key energy facilities, which provide resources and capabilities for Iran’s war and terror apparatus and for attacks on the citizens of the State of Israel,” Katz said.
“In accordance with the instructions of the prime minister and my own instructions, the IDF is on high alert and prepared to carry out the mission,” he continued. “Such a blow would set Iran back decades and further undermine the ayatollah regime, which the Iranian people so deeply despise and long to see fall.”
Katz’s warning came as part of a Rosh Hashanah message in which he also addressed Iran’s Jewish community and the Iranian people directly. “Ahead of Rosh Hashanah, I want to send wishes for a happy new year to the Jewish community in Iran and wish them a good and safe year. You are part of a glorious Jewish history and will always be in our hearts,” Katz said. “And to the Iranian people, I wish: Next year in Tehran, liberated from oppression and tyranny.”
2+Meanwhile, U.S. and Middle Eastern officials told The Wall Street Journal that Iran has recently resumed ballistic missile production at underground facilities using components accumulated in existing stockpiles. According to the report, intelligence indicates activity at several underground sites across Iran, including the Khojir missile facility southeast of Tehran.