Israel's security establishment completes preparations for Iranian response

Against the background of the high alert and fears of an Iranian response to an air strike in Damascus in which Quds Force general Mohammad Reza Zahedi and six other senior Iranian officials were assassinated last week, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a situation assessment this morning (Sunday). Head of the IDF Operations Division Major General Oded Basyuk and Head of Military Intelligence Aharon Haliva also participated in the meeting.

At the end of the discussion, Gallant emphasized that the security system has completed the preparation for a response against any scenario that Iran can present.

Ma'ariv's Anna Barsky also reported that Israel's war cabinet is expected to meet twice during the day. At 11 a.m. there was a discussion on the preparation of the delegation that is expected to leave for hostage negotiations in Cairo, and at 7:30 p.m., the cabinet will convene again for a security review and situation assessment.

As published on Friday, Gallant hinted that the IDF was behind the hit on Damascus last Monday during a conversation with Air Force personnel. "We attack wherever the State of Israel decides against any enemy. It can be in Damascus and it can be in Beirut. We attack wherever we see fit," he was quoted as saying.