Response to missiles

Israel wants to “harm” Iran, but not go to war

The question is apparently not whether Israel will retaliate, but how severely it will do so.

(Bild: APA/AFP/Israeli Army)

According to the media, several response scenarios to the large-scale Iranian attack were discussed during the Israeli war cabinet's deliberations. Israel's aim is to harm Iran, but not to trigger an all-out war. Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi emphasized on Monday that there would be a response.

"As we look ahead, we are considering our steps," emphasized Halevi during a visit to the Nevatim air force base in the Negev desert. An attack with so many missiles on Israeli territory would be followed by a response. According to a report on Kan radio, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized at a private meeting with ministers from his Likud party that Iran's missile attack must be followed by a smart response. Iran should have to wait nervously to see when the backlash will come, as Israel did before the attack late Saturday night.

Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi consults with high-ranking military representatives.

(Bild: APA/AFP/Israeli Army)

Israel wants to coordinate with the USA
At the almost three-hour meeting of the committee chaired by Netanyahu, various reactions of different dimensions were put on the table, the Israeli television station Channel 12 reported on Monday. According to the report, some of the options can be implemented immediately. During the talks on a response to Tehran's attack at the weekend, it was also discussed that Israel wanted to coordinate the measures with its most important ally, the USA. However, a final decision has not yet been made. However, observers expect the response to come as quickly as possible.

The question is apparently not whether Israel will retaliate, but how severe it will be.

(Bild: APA/AFP/Israeli Army)

Opposition politician Yair Lapid sharply criticized Netanyahu. Under his cabinet with the participation of far-right politicians, Israel has experienced a "complete loss" of its military deterrence capability, wrote the liberal Lapid on Monday in the online service X.

The "Iron Dome" missile defense system saved Israel from major damage and even loss of life.

(Bild: AP)

A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry demanded recognition from the international community for its alleged "restraint" towards Israel. "It seems clear that Iran has timed its attack so that it can be contained by the Israelis," said former NATO Secretary General George Robertson in an APA interview in Vienna. Although Iran's first direct attack was a "dramatic escalation", Tehran clearly did not want to land a hit.

Data on missiles and drones published
Meanwhile, Iran's state media has published information about the missiles used. According to the state agency Irna, medium-range Emad and Kheibar Shekan missiles were among those used. The modern version of the latter has a range of over 1800 kilometers. According to the report, Iran's Revolutionary Guards also fired Paweh cruise missiles at Israel during the operation entitled "Sincere Promise". According to the state agency, they are capable of flying up to 900 kilometers per hour.

Test of an Iranian Kheibar Shekan missile in May 2023 - large numbers of such missiles were fired at Israel on Saturday.

(Bild: APA/AFP/IRANIAN DEFENCE MINISTRY)

The drones used in the retaliatory strike were of the Shahed 136 type, which are the same kamikaze drones used by Russia in the fight against Ukraine. They are characterized above all by their inexpensive design.