Israel is on high alert amid estimations of a potential retaliation from Iran through proxies like Hezbollah. The Air Force has heightened its readiness, with all Israeli embassies worldwide on increased vigilance. This comes after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps senior commander Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi was assassinated during an israeli air strike on the iranian consulate in damascus, syria on monday. Six other people were killed in this air strike as well. The strikes leveled the building.
The IDF has announced the consolidation and recruitment of reservists for the air defense system. In response to the situation with Iran, all combat soldiers have been directed to return and remain at their bases until further notice, signaling heightened readiness and precaution.
The IDF Home Front Command is about to launch a media campaign to prepare Israelis for potential conflict with Hezbollah. The Bank of Israel has also advised banks to prepare for a possible surge in cash withdrawals in the event of an emergency.
Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, the IDF’s Chief of Staff, announced the postponement of annual ceremonies awarding distinctions to soldiers and commanders until after Memorial Day and Independence Day, based on the operational situation assessment.
US officials say that the alleged Israeli fire that killed Iran’s top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander in Syria was a calculated attack that will cause heightened tensions in the region. Though Israel is being blamed by Iran and its allies, the Israeli Defense Forces have not commented on the incident. Former senior CIA official Ralph Goff says that the strike was reckless and, quote, “will only result in escalation by Iran and its proxies.”
The Pentagon’s former top Middle East policy official, Dana Stroul, compares the event to the US strike on Qassem Suleiman in 2020. Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says, quote, “the evil Zionist regime will be punished at the hands of our brave men. We will make them regret this crime and the other ones.”. US Central Command chief and retired four-star general Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. says he thinks Iran’s retaliation will not be major, as its options are very limited and Israel is not a nation that would back down. The New York Times writes that responding would create a war for Iran that it does not want.
