As it waits for Passover, Israel still bent on retaliating against Iran
Statements by Israeli tops indicate that while the country has decided to retaliate against Iran for last weekend's attack, it might not do so immediately and, in all likelihood, not before the end of Passover on April 30.
Reports on Thursday from Israel indicated that the Netanyahu government is committed to retaliate against Iran for last week's strikes, but it might delay such response until after the Passover holiday, which starts on Monday and ends on April 30.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused Thursday evening to convene the war cabinet, despite demands by Ministers Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot. According to Ynet, Gantz and Eizenkot requested an urgent meeting to discuss the possible Israeli retaliation after the Iranian attack last Saturday, the deadlock in talks over a deal for the release of the hostages, the escalation on Israel’s border with Lebanon and the issue of an Israeli operation in Rafah.
Meeting earlier in the day with some of the pilots who participated in the interception of the Iranian missiles and drones, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reiterated that Israel indeed plans to retaliate against Iran after its drone and missile strike last Saturday night.
"This reality, where we are being attacked on seven separate fronts, is a complex one," said Gallant, adding, "It’s a [new] reality that will accompany us and challenge us from now on. The [missile] range we are now facing, of 1,500 kilometers (932 miles), is changing the global situation, be it by the new rhythm it sets, the way to react and the manner to act. Israel must know it has freedom of action."
