Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held urgent security consultations with members of the Security Cabinet and senior defense officials following a missile attack by Iran on northern Israel, as reported by Hebrew media early Monday. This significant development comes on the heels of a phone conversation between Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, which took place after the Iranian missile barrage.
According to Anadolu Agency, shortly after the missile attack, President Trump urged Netanyahu not to respond immediately and to wait several days to allow for diplomatic negotiations. Neither Netanyahu’s office nor the White House has released an official statement regarding the details of their conversation.
Israeli army spokesman Effie Defrin announced that the military is fully prepared to execute ‘powerful strikes’ against Iran, contingent upon receiving political authorization. Defrin also mentioned that Israeli Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir conducted a thorough security assessment with senior commanders, emphasizing the army’s readiness to act as soon as the government gives the order.
Earlier on Sunday, President Trump urged Iran to resume negotiations following its missile attack on Israel, expressing optimism that a final agreement with Tehran could be reached imminently. In an interview with Fox News, Trump stated, ‘You’ve shot your missiles, that’s enough. Get back to the table and make a deal,’ suggesting that an agreement could be finalized as early as the beginning of the upcoming week.
The Iranian missile attack was launched in response to an Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs, which targeted what Tel Aviv described as a Hezbollah command and planning center. The airstrike resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injured 11 others, according to preliminary reports.
This latest Iranian attack marks the first such military action since a tenuous ceasefire was established in early April. The ceasefire, initially agreed upon on April 8, has faced challenges due to disagreements over its implementation and subsequent regional developments.