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)
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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.



Germany to Expand Financial Program for Syrians Seeking to Return

A couple watches the sunset atop Mount Qassioun, which was opened to the public after the fall of the Assad regime, in Damascus, Syria, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
A couple watches the sunset atop Mount Qassioun, which was opened to the public after the fall of the Assad regime, in Damascus, Syria, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
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Germany to Expand Financial Program for Syrians Seeking to Return

A couple watches the sunset atop Mount Qassioun, which was opened to the public after the fall of the Assad regime, in Damascus, Syria, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
A couple watches the sunset atop Mount Qassioun, which was opened to the public after the fall of the Assad regime, in Damascus, Syria, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Germany plans to expand a financial program for Syrian nationals seeking to return to their home country in the wake of the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Dec. 8, a spokesperson for the interior ministry said on Friday.

"In future, we want to expand the program for those who want to leave voluntarily," the spokesperson said, adding that 200 euros ($205) in travel expenses and 1,000 euros in start-up costs were available for each adult seeking to leave Germany.

"I think the situation is still too unclear for larger return movements," the spokesperson added.

Opposition fighters seized control of Damascus on Dec. 8 and forced al-Assad to flee after more than 13 years of civil war, ending his family's decades-long rule.

Many Syrian refugees have since returned to their home country.