GNITN - Special Edition

Israel At War – Day 192

A Counterstrike Will Happen

There Will Be A Response

Regardless of what you may hear from some articles, Israel not only will respond to the Iranian attacks, but must respond. They said before Iran sent hundreds of missiles and drones at them that they would launch a counterstrike. While there may be debate within the war cabinet over the details, they are in agreement that a response will happen as we read in a report from The Times Of Israel:

The war cabinet on Monday afternoon wrapped up a discussion on Israel’s response to Iran’s massive missile and drone barrage, amid calls for Jerusalem to exercise caution, so as not to spark a regional war, and reports that a retaliatory move could come “as soon as Monday.”

In an unsourced report, Channel 12 claimed the war cabinet decided to hit back “clearly and forcefully” against Iran with a response designed to send the message that Israel “will not allow an attack of that magnitude against it to pass without a reaction.”

The response is more than a tit for tat action:

The response would also be designed to make plain that Israel will not allow the Iranians to “establish the equation” they have sought to assert in recent days, the report said. This was an apparent reference to Iran’s warning that future Israeli strikes on Iranian territory, including its international diplomatic premises, will henceforth again be met by Iranian retaliatory strikes on Israel.

Some think that Israel desires a regional war, but that isn’t the case:

However, the Channel 12 report added that Israel does not want its response to spark a regional war, or to shatter the coalition that helped it defend against Iran’s attack. It noted also that Israel intends to coordinate its action with the US.

The war cabinet meeting finished as the Axios news site reported that Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had told his US counterpart in a Sunday call that Israel has “no choice but to respond” to Iran’s attack, given the use of ballistic missiles.

According to sources quoted in the Monday report, Gallant also told US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that “Israel won’t accept an equation in which Iran responds with a direct attack every time Israel strikes targets in Syria.”

I certainly don’t want to read more into that last statement by Gallant, but if the intent is to keep Iran from retaliating every time Israel strikes then this response could be a major one, one that incapacitates them in a larger way and sets them back.

So Many Options

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the Israel Defense force to provide him with ways to launch a counterstrike against Iran as we read in an article from The Jerusalem Post:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly asked the IDF for "potential target options" for an Israeli attack on Iran, according to The Washington Post on Monday, citing Israeli sources.

According to the report, the targets include an Iranian facility in Tehran or a cyberattack.

The debate is ongoing and some reports say the response could come soon:

On Monday, The Jerusalem Post reported that within the corridors of Israel's power, a critical internal debate rages on concerning the timing and manner of a response to recent Iranian aggressions. As Israel faces this formidable foe, with discussions ongoing in both the war cabinet and the IDF, the stakes couldn't be higher. Iran, with its significant population, vast land, and burgeoning nuclear program, represents not just a transient challenge but a long-term existential threat. Israeli leaders are thus caught in a strategic bind, balancing the urgency of immediate action to restore deterrence with the risks of escalating into a broader conflict.

In light of all these concerns Israel must decide if their response meets international conditions or a show of strength that will send a much stronger message:

The implications of these decisions extend beyond immediate military tactics; they involve intricate geopolitical considerations, factoring in the looming US presidential elections and Israel's political dynamics. Any move against Iran could redefine the future of Israeli-Iranian relations, potentially altering regional alignments and affecting global diplomatic relations. As such, the discussions today are not just about how Israel will respond but about shaping the landscape of Middle Eastern politics for years to come.

Internationally many countries are saying that defeating the Iranian barrage is good enough and Israel should not do anything:

The international community, led by allies such as the UK, Germany, and France, has urged Israel to exercise restraint. The European Union's foreign policy chief emphasized the region's precarious situation, advocating for de-escalation to avoid further conflict. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron acknowledged Israel's right to defend itself but recommended a strategic response that avoids direct retaliation. French President Macron and other European leaders echoed this sentiment, emphasizing diplomacy over military action. Meanwhile, the U.S. recognized the joint defense efforts that intercepted most of the attacks, suggesting that Israel viewed this as a victory without escalating further. This call for caution reflects widespread concern about the potential for this conflict to widen, affecting regional stability and international security.

US Stresses Diplomacy

In a report from CBN.com and as we reported yesterday, many are advocating for restraint:

Israel's War Cabinet met Sunday to decide how to respond. Benny Gantz said Israel will act when the time is right, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant urged an international coalition against Iran.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged "maximum restraint," and the U.N. Security Council delivered the same message.

Iran says it considers the matter "concluded," and warned Israel not to retaliate.

After the attack, President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talked by phone. Biden reportedly told Netanyahu, "You got a win. Take a win." He counseled that Israel not retaliate. Instead, he pledged a diplomatic offensive with the G-7 nations.

According to leaked reports from the phone call, the U.S. told Israel it wouldn't participate in any strike against Iran.

National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby stated, "The president has been very clear. We don't seek a war with Iran. We are not looking for escalation here. We will continue to help Israel defend itself."

However, not everyone in the Unites States agrees on diplomacy:

Yet, some U.S. lawmakers say the U.S. should support an Israeli counter-strike.

Representative Mike McCaul (R-Texas), speaking on CBS Face the Nation, stated, "I think a proportionate response (is needed) – not just where they were launched from, but also the facilities that built the drones and rockets."

Senator John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) declared on Fox News, "We need to stand with Israel. Israel is not at war with Hamas or Hezbollah or Yemen. Those are all surrogates for Iran. They’re the prostitutes, the pimp is Iran. Israel is at war with Iran. Iran hates Americans, Iran hates Jews. Iran wants to kill Americans and Jews."

Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon told CBN News he believes a great defense is not enough.

"We also have to show our offensive capabilities, in order to create deterrence in the region against Iran," Danon insisted. "They attacked a sovereign country with 300 rockets, missiles, and UAVs, and we cannot sit idly by." He added, “My position is that we must hit them hard. Teach them a lesson, that they will not do it again.”

Reserve Brigadier General Amir Avivi believes without offensive military actions, Israel will "normalize" Iran's attack.

The real answer to responding is really one we can all do:

While the Israelis and the allied partners praise the air defense, some also point to the power of prayer in protecting Israel.

“I want to thank all those who pray for us and stand with us. I think what we saw last night was the Hand of God protecting Israel as well," Ambassador Danon said.

CBN's Chuck Holton shared how he hosted a live report on YouTube in the minutes after the weekend attack started.

He recalled, "As rockets and drones (flew) towards Israel – so, before we knew what would take place, we have 40,000 people online, I believe. We prayed together, 40 thousand people – that's a stadium's worth of people. And we prayed that God would thwart the plans of evil men. He came through last night and he answered our prayer, and that's a very significant thing that I think we can't forget."