Defense Minister Israel Katz held a security consultation Thursday evening with the IDF Chief of Staff, the Defense Ministry director general, and other top commanders. During the meeting, Katz stated that Israel is preparing for all possibilities and that any Iranian attack on Israel would be met with a crushing blow, according to Israeli media.
Defense Minister Israel Katz convened a security consultation at 20:20 Jerusalem time Thursday evening, gathering the IDF Chief of Staff, the Defense Ministry director general, the IAF commander, and the heads of Military Intelligence, Operations, Planning, and Home Front Command. During the meeting, Katz warned that any Iranian attack on Israel would be met with a 'crushing blow,' according to his office. The consultation marks the latest in a rapid sequence of high-level warnings and assessments within the span of 20 minutes.
The initial reports of the warning and consultation were first published by The Zioneer at 20:10 Jerusalem, with subsequent updates within minutes adding the names of participants and specifying the growing assessments that Iran may strike first. At 20:18, a separate statement from Katz was reported, reiterating the same warning. The consultation itself followed at 20:20, underscoring the intensity of the current threat environment.
The heightened alert comes amid a broader context of Israeli warnings to Iran. As The Zioneer reported in recent weeks, Katz has repeatedly warned of a possible Iranian attack, including a joint statement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Chief of Staff Zamir on July 9, a briefing with IAF Commander Maj. Gen. Omer Tishler on July 6, and earlier warnings about escalation within days on June 29. Chief of Staff Zamir had ordered the IDF to prepare for an offensive scenario against Iran on June 18.
What remains unclear is the specific intelligence behind the growing assessments of a possible first strike, and whether an Iranian attack is imminent. The consultation was described as both routine and urgent, and no change in operational posture was announced.
6 developments
- StrongSenior official says Israel at peak readiness for possible return to war with Iran
- DevelopingSenior Israeli security official: 50% chance of war with Iran in near term
- DevelopingSenior Israeli official: Israel ready to join future US strikes on Iran if asked
- StrongKatz warns of renewed escalation with Iran 'within 2 days', says IDF ready to strike
Source and signal
- Internal intake