A senior Israeli official told i24 that it is uncertain whether the 'Roar of the Lion' operation would have been launched if the final casualty figures had been known in advance. The comment came as Prime Minister Netanyahu prepares to hold a press conference at 21:00, expected to address the emerging Iran deal.
A senior Israeli official has cast doubt on the wisdom of the 'Roar of the Lion' (Sha'agat Ha'Ari) operation, telling i24 that it is unclear whether the campaign would have been approved had the final casualty count been known beforehand. The rare admission from within the security establishment points to internal unease over the operation's cost, though the official did not specify the final figures or the total number of casualties.
The statement comes just minutes before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to address the nation at 21:00 Jerusalem time — a press conference the Prime Minister's Office has scheduled with a Q&A session, widely expected to focus on the emerging Iran deal. As The Zioneer reported earlier this evening, Netanyahu's address was originally scheduled earlier and was pushed back to allow for further consultations.
The senior official's remark is the first known on-record Israeli expression of regret regarding 'Roar of the Lion,' a major operation whose scale and objectives have been the subject of intense debate. It remains unclear whether this view is shared broadly within the cabinet or security cabinet, or whether it reflects a narrower faction concerned with the deal's terms.
Netanyahu's 21:00 press conference is seen as a pivotal moment in the unfolding diplomatic cycle, as the Trump administration has signaled a signing ceremony is expected by Friday. The Prime Minister is expected to face questions on both the operation's outcome and the agreement with Iran.
- DevelopingNetanyahu rejects notion he made a mistake in Operation Roar of the Lion
- DevelopingNetanyahu: We still don't know what the agreement will be
- DevelopingNetanyahu awaits final decision on Iran response after messages from Tehran and Washington
- StrongNetanyahu says Israel may conduct more rounds with Iran
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