Israel's defense minister says Iran is preparing for an attack
Jove Galant, Israel's Defense Minister
Quelle: dpa/Shachar Yurman
Israel's defense minister has called on people to follow the instructions of the military and homeland security amid concerns about a possible Iranian attack. President Biden says an Iranian attack on Israel “could happen soon.”
I amAccording to its Defense Minister Jove Gallant, Israel is prepared for a possible Iranian attack. “We are closely monitoring the planned attack by Iran and its allies on the State of Israel,” Gallant said Saturday evening, according to his office. “We have strengthened our defense and offensive posture in recent days, and we are committed to taking all necessary measures to protect the citizens of the State of Israel.”
Israel has also “added new capabilities — on the ground, in the air, at sea, in our intelligence directorate, within the State of Israel and together with our allies led by the United States,” Gallant said. “Iran is a terrorist state – the world sees this now more than ever. We are committed to protecting our citizens against this terrorism and we know how to respond.
Gallant called on people to follow instructions from the military and Homeland Security. The Israeli army issued new security measures for civilians on Saturday evening. There will be no school lessons or other educational activities, holiday camps and organized excursions from Sunday, Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari told reporters. The two-week school holidays for the Jewish festival of Passover begin on Sunday.
Homeland Security posted additional instructions on its website. These will begin on Saturday evening at 11pm local time (10pm CET) and will initially last for 48 hours.
Accordingly, gatherings of up to 1,000 people are allowed in areas not adjacent to the Gaza Strip or Lebanon. In so-called de-confliction zones, up to 30 people are allowed to gather outdoors and up to 300. At work, citizens must ensure, especially in these areas, that they can quickly reach shelter if needed.
Biden interrupted the trip for security consultations
US President Joe Biden on Saturday canceled a weekend trip to the state of Delaware and headed to Washington for an emergency consultation in light of the Iranian attack on Israel. As the White House explained, the president's discussions with his security team will focus on the situation in the Middle East.
Biden had already said on Friday that an Iranian attack on Israel would “happen soon.” He continued that the United States “will support Israel, we will help defend Israel, and Iran will not win.”
Military tensions have been rising in the Middle East for days. After an Israeli airstrike on Iran's embassy in Syria killed two brigadier generals, the government in Tehran threatened to retaliate against its arch-rival Israel.
. “Amateur alcohol specialist. Reader. Hardcore introvert. Freelance explorer.”