Gallant: The Islamic Republic's Attack Failed; The Skies of the Middle East Are Open to the Israeli Air Force

Yoav Gallant, Israel's Defense Minister, stated on Tuesday, April 17, during a meeting with a group of the country's forces that the Islamic Republic has failed in its attack and cannot deter Israel. According to Israeli media, Mr. Gallant also mentioned that the skies of the Middle East are open to the Israeli Air Force. Regarding the situation in northern Israel at the Lebanese border, he expressed that based on assessments, he believes there will come a time when Israeli citizens will safely return to their homes. He noted that Israel is 'prepared for all possibilities.' Yoav Gallant added that considering the total attacks from the Islamic Republic and its proxy forces, Israel has been the target of over 500 airstrikes. According to the Jerusalem Post, the Israeli military and officials previously spoke of 300 to 350 air threats from the Islamic Republic, including about 120 ballistic missiles, 170 drones, and 30 cruise missiles. However, the Lebanese group Hezbollah and other militia groups supported by the Islamic Republic in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq also participated in these attacks. Earlier, the Israeli Defense Minister, continuing the responses of the country's officials to the attacks from the Islamic Republic and its proxy groups, told Lloyd Austin, the U.S. Defense Secretary, on Sunday, April 15, that Israel has no choice but to respond to the attacks from the Islamic Republic. Axios reported that Yoav Gallant told his American counterpart that Israel does not accept a scenario where the Iranian government directly attacks Israel in response to any Israeli attack in Syria. Channel 12 of Israel also reported that the country's war cabinet has decided to respond 'clearly and forcefully' to the missile and drone attack from the Iranian government on Saturday night. The Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army stated: 'Iran will face the consequences of its actions.' The German Foreign Minister is traveling to Israel to prevent escalation of tensions. Reuters reported on Israel's options for a potential response to the Islamic Republic: airstrikes, cyber operations, covert operations, and diplomacy. An Israeli media outlet stated that Israel will respond 'clearly and forcefully' to the Iranian government's attack; NBC reported that Israel's response may be 'imminent.' Voice of America reported that Iraqis are concerned about retaliatory attacks from Israel.