The air space north of Hadera was closed Wednesday as Israel moves to high alert in anticipation of the impending direct attack by Iran promised by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to avenge the death of Ismail Haniyeh, political leader of Iran’s proxy in Gaza.
Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran at 2 am Wednesday while sleeping in an apartment house operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
“Following this bitter, tragic event which has taken place within the borders of the Islamic Republic, it is our duty to take revenge,” Khamenei wrote in a post on the X social media platform.
Following an Iranian funeral honoring the terrorist on Thursday, his body will be returned to Doha, Qatar, where he has lived in luxury for years.
The assassination rattled the Iranian military and civilian leadership, having been carried out within hours of the inauguration of Iran’s new president, in the capital under the very noses of Tehran security.
Countdown to Conflict
The Pentagon estimated late Wednesday that Iran would launch its attack on Israel within the next 72 hours, meaning a timeline that includes Shabbat.
Israel sent diplomatic back-channel messages to both Iran and Lebanon, warning the IDF is willing and ready for a full-scale war with Iran, Hezbollah and other proxies in the region.
The United States says it does not expect the conflict to escalate into an all-out regional war. But if it does, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the US will help Israel defend itself.
Today I spoke with Israel’s Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant about Israel’s response to Lebanese Hizballah’s July 27 attack, which killed 12 teenagers and children. I reaffirmed our ironclad commitment to Israel’s security and right of self-defense against threats from…
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) August 1, 2024
What the Attack May Look Like
It is expected that Tehran will launch swarms of attack drones, cruise and ballistic missiles, as it did in April, with a special focus on hitting Haifa – home to an essential port and other sensitive infrastructure – and Tel Aviv, location of the IDF’s Kirya headquarters.
Iran also intends to inflict more civilian casualties this time around in retaliation for Haniyeh’s death.
Military analysts say the attack could involve a coordinated multi-front assault by Iran’s proxies in Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon as well as their supporters in Judea and Samaria.
Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza may also attempt to join the party. However, nearly ten months of war with the Israel Defense Forces has vastly reduced the ability of Gaza’s terror factions to assist in the expected attack.
Preparations in Israel
The Israel Defense Forces cancelled all leave for soldiers in combat units in light of the current security situation.
According to the Fire and Rescue Service commander of northern Israel, “We are preparing for a complex and multi-sector event.”
The Health Ministry has also raised its alert level in light of the situation.
Participation in any event by Israeli government ministers requires an adjacent protected space, the lawmakers were told.
The personal approval of Shin Bet director Ronen Bar is required for any tour by the prime minister and other government ministers.
Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav has called on the city’s residents “to stay near protected areas in the near future.”
The government is also accelerating plans to evacuate eight additional communities in the north that have not as yet done so. Plans include evacuations within an hour, if need arises, according to Israeli journalist Ben Caspit.
Preparations in the north include mass shelter sites (such as parking lots, the Carmel Tunnels “subway” system, etc) for medical and other use, according to an official at the Prime Minister’s Office who briefed reporters.
Some 30 factories in which there are hazardous materials located up to 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Lebanese border have meanwhile received orders from the IDF to close their facilities.
Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah has reiterated for years that chemical factories would be first on the target list if a war breaks out.
Israelis elsewhere around the country are being told to “watch for information from Home Front Command.”
Airlines Suspending Service
Delta Airlines, United Airlines and British Airways have all suspended service to Israel effective immediately, until further notice, citing “unrest in the Middle East.”
The Lufthansa group, including Austria Air, Lufthansa, Swiss Air and Euro Wings, cancelled all service to Tel Aviv until at least August 8.
Brussels Airlines and Air India have also announced cancellation of all their upcoming flights to Israel, according to Israel’s Channel 12 News. FlyDubai has cancelled select flights to Tel Aviv as well.
Nearly all international airlines have likewise suspended service to Rafiq-Beirut International Airport for the same reason, and more than a dozen countries around the world are urging their citizens to leave Lebanon “while they still can.”
