Israeli Army Prepares List of Iran Targets

A Hezbollah fighter stands at a watch tower at Juroud Arsal on the Syria-Lebanon border, July 29, 2017 (Reuters)
A Hezbollah fighter stands at a watch tower at Juroud Arsal on the Syria-Lebanon border, July 29, 2017 (Reuters)
TT

Israeli Army Prepares List of Iran Targets

A Hezbollah fighter stands at a watch tower at Juroud Arsal on the Syria-Lebanon border, July 29, 2017 (Reuters)
A Hezbollah fighter stands at a watch tower at Juroud Arsal on the Syria-Lebanon border, July 29, 2017 (Reuters)

Military sources in Tel Aviv revealed that the Israeli army has presented the government with several scenarios for striking targets in Iran, but emphasized that it would be difficult to determine the outcome of such strikes or assess how it would affect Tehran's nuclear program.

According to a report published by Haaretz on Wednesday, the military says it is preparing for a possible attack on Iran, acquiring advanced weapons, conducting air force training exercises and collecting new strike targets for the Military Intelligence.
“The Israeli army was given an additional budget of 9 billion shekels ($2.9 billion) for this purpose,” the newspaper wrote.

Military officials said the army will be ready to strike Iran as soon as the government gives its approval.

The military is also preparing for the consequences of striking Iran, including a round of fighting with Hezbollah in Lebanon or Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli army’s assessment revealed that Iran has increased and improved its air defense array over the past years and has managed to significantly increase its arsenal of long-range missiles, Haaretz said.

“Due to this development, the Israeli military signed several contracts over the past year worth billions of shekels in order to expand and strengthen Israel's air defense,” it added.

This came while Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi announced that the army’s ability to maneuver has improved considerably.



Days after Surgery, Netanyahu Rushes to Knesset for Budget Vote

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the fifth day of testimony in his trial on corruption charges at the district court in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the fifth day of testimony in his trial on corruption charges at the district court in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP)
TT

Days after Surgery, Netanyahu Rushes to Knesset for Budget Vote

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the fifth day of testimony in his trial on corruption charges at the district court in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the fifth day of testimony in his trial on corruption charges at the district court in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rushed to Israel’s parliament Tuesday for an emergency vote on a portion of the budget less than two days after his prostate surgery, after parts of his coalition refused to support the measure.

Israeli media reported that Netanyahu took his seat in the Knesset despite doctors’ objections in an effort to pass the budget measure.

The coalition was able to achieve a majority in a last-ditch attempt. The vote was critical because Tuesday is the last day of the 2024 tax year, and if the vote had not passed, the government would have had to find another funding source to plug an approximately 10 billion Israeli shekel ($2.7 billion) deficit.

Also, if the budget does not pass in full by March, it will force snap elections.

Far-right Public Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has instructed his party not to support the critical budget measure, which attempts to address a massive budget deficit. At least three others also said they would vote against the measure over their displeasure over forced enlistment of ultra-Orthodox men in the military.

On Monday, the hospital said Netanyahu’s recovery was proceeding well after undergoing prostate surgery Sunday night.