TEL AVIV: After more than three hours of deliberation on Sunday afternoon, Israel’s five-member war cabinet failed to reach a consensus on how to respond to Iran’s extensive missile and drone assault on Saturday night.
Amid reports of US advisories urging caution, including a personal plea from President Joe Biden to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deliberate meticulously, the war cabinet halted its discussions temporarily.
However, Channel 12 News anticipates a prompt reconvening.
Israel Hayom cited an Israeli official affirming an imminent response, while NBC quoted a Prime Minister’s Office source indicating the necessity for the IDF to present response options, though a decision is pending.
Israeli officials disclosed the war cabinet’s inclination towards retaliation against Iran but disclosed internal divisions concerning the timing and magnitude of such a response.
The war cabinet’s talks ensued less than 24 hours following Iran’s unprecedented assault, launching approximately 350 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones at Israel on Saturday night. The IDF reported a 99% interception success rate.
Hebrew media outlets reported that amidst the onslaught, Minister Benny Gantz and National Unity party colleague Gadi Eisenkot proposed immediate counterattacks against Iran, a suggestion opposed by Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief Herzi Halevi, and others. They cited operational strain amid ongoing interception efforts.
The Prime Minister’s Office contradicted the claim, asserting the opposite, despite Channel 12 News standing by its report, backed by four sources.
