Israeli Government Debates Direct War with Iran Amid Escalating Tensions
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, the Israeli cabinet held a nearly six-hour meeting on Monday amid escalating Israeli aggressions toward Iran, dedicated to examining potential scenarios of increased tensions. During this session, a phone call took place between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Channel 12 of Israeli television, citing an Israeli official, reported that Tel Aviv’s interests in any new confrontation depend on its nature and objectives. The official added that Tel Aviv does not wish to engage in a short-term battle that concludes after a few days without decisive results.
A report presented to Israeli political leadership indicates that President Trump has not yet made a final decision, but the probability of expanding the U.S. target bank in this war has increased.
The Israeli Broadcasting Authority, citing two security sources (one Israeli and one American), claimed that Washington has informed Tel Aviv of its intention to intensify its attacks against Iran in the coming days. However, the U.S. administration currently prefers to keep Israel out of the direct line of fire to prevent an Iranian response and attacks on occupied territories.
The Israeli cabinet is currently experiencing significant disagreements regarding entering into a war with Iran. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich believes that Israel has no current interest in going to war and that maintaining the confrontation within the scope of limited U.S. operations and a naval blockade is the most suitable scenario for Israel. Israeli Education Minister Yoav Kisch, however, has called for heavy strikes against Iran’s energy facilities and infrastructure, claiming this could accelerate Iran’s overthrow.
These differing viewpoints reflect a broader debate within the occupied territories between two factions: one advocating for direct intervention in the conflict, and the other preferring to limit involvement to supporting U.S. operations.
Meanwhile, American military equipment is being amassed in the region. The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that over the past 24 hours, the U.S. has transferred additional equipment and ammunition from Europe and Persian Gulf countries to occupied territories to support American fighter jets. In this regard, more than 10 aircraft have entered occupied territories after refueling in Europe and from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
While Israeli sources attempt to frame these movements as part of a restructuring of the war front against Iran, it appears the U.S. military is prioritizing the transfer of this equipment to occupied territories from regional countries to safeguard its expensive military assets from Iranian missile attacks. Some Israeli military sources have reported that transferring aircraft to occupied territories provides greater protection compared to their presence at bases in Persian Gulf countries. However, these sources are concerned that the deployment of these aircraft could pose greater risks for Tel Aviv, as it might provide Iran with a reason to attack occupied territories.
The newspaper ‘Israel Hayom,’ quoting an Israeli security source, reported that American forces had previously moved part of their military fleet from the Persian Gulf to Jordan to keep them out of range of Iranian missiles, but that country subsequently faced heavy Iranian attacks.
The source added that Israel hosting American aircraft and military facilities could place Israel on Iran’s list of targets.
