Defense Minister Israel Katz said Thursday evening, after a security consultation with top defense officials, that Israel is prepared for any scenario and that any Iranian attack would be met with a crushing blow. A senior security official told Channel 13 that the assessment is that an Iranian response would be faster than in previous rounds. The remarks come amid a continued high alert for a potential escalation with Iran.
Defense Minister Israel Katz convened a security consultation Thursday evening with the IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, Defense Ministry director general Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Baram, the IAF commander, and other top commanders. During the consultation, Katz warned that any Iranian attack on Israel would be met with a "crushing blow." Shortly after, a senior Israeli military officer assessed that any Iranian response would be faster than in previous rounds, according to a Channel 13 report — a development The Zioneer first reported at 20:25 Jerusalem.
The Zioneer's coverage of the evening unfolded in rapid succession: at 20:10, the initial report of the consultation and Katz's warning; at 20:21, a more detailed account naming the participants; and at 20:25, the faster-response assessment. The sequence shows how Israel's security establishment signaled resolve and urgency within minutes.
The warnings arrive with the IDF at peak alert. The Zioneer reported Monday that senior Israeli officials assess the probability of an escalation with Iran has increased significantly. Earlier this week, Energy Minister Eli Cohen also warned of a stronger response. Defense Minister Katz himself had earlier said that a renewed escalation could occur "within two days."
The "faster response" assessment remains attributed to a single official via a single news outlet, and the specific intelligence behind the heightened alert has not been disclosed. Whether Tehran's response would target Israeli territory or assets abroad, and on what timeline, remains unclear.
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