Israel military on ‘peak alert’ as US warns of imminent attack

The IDF moves to high alert after observing preparations by Iran and Hezbollah to launch a strike, as the White House warns of a ‘significant’ attack this week.

Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari speaks to reporters. Picture: AFP.

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Israel has put its military on “peak alert” after observing preparations by Iran and Hezbollah to launch a strike, as the White House warns of a ‘significant’ attack this week.

The Israeli Defence Forces moved to high alert for the first time this month the Wall Street Journal reports, while Middle East sources told Fox News the strike could come in hours. The US and Israel have both said they do not expect an attack in the next 24 hours but the White House says it shares Jerusalem’s assessment that Iran could launch a “significant” attack this week.

“We have to be prepared for what could be a significant set of attacks,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

“We share the same concerns and expectations that our Israeli counterparts have with respect to potential timing here – could be this week,” he added.

In Israel, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said the Israeli Air Force has increased its patrols over Lebanon, “to detect and intercept threats.”

“We view the statements of our enemies seriously, and are therefore prepared at the highest level of readiness for defence and attack,” he said.

“We are in the days of vigilance and readiness, the threats from Tehran and Beirut may materialise and it is important to explain to everyone that readiness, preparedness and vigilance are not synonyms for fear and panic,” said Yoav Gallant, Israel’s Defence Minister.

US President Joe Biden and the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Britain urged Iran to “stand down” its threats of an attack.

“We called on Iran to stand down its ongoing threats of a military attack against Israel and discussed the serious consequences for regional security should such an attack take place,” the leaders said in a statement.

However Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has continued to insist his country has “the right to respond” to any aggression, after the killings of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr.

After German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged de-escalation in a phone call with the Iranian leader, Mr Pezeshkian said: “While emphasising diplomatic solutions to issues, Iran will never give in to pressure, to sanctions and to bullying and considers it has the right to respond to aggressors in accordance with international norms,” according to a statement published by official news agency IRNA.

Speculation grew over the weekend that an attack from either Iran or Hezbollah would come on Tisha B’av, an annual fast day in Israel on which Jews commemorate the destruction of two temples by the Babylonian and Roman empires. An attack on Tisha B’av, which falls today, would be of symbolic significance to Israel’s major regional enemy.

US Central Command announced on Monday (AEST) the US is rushing an aircraft carrier strike group and a guided missile submarine to the region with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin telling Mr Gallant he had ordering the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, which is equipped with F-35C jet fighters, to move more quickly to the region, where it would add to the capabilities of the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group already in the Middle East.

Meanwhile Saudi Arabia and Jordan have reiterated their warning that Tehran must not use their airspace to launch an attack, advising that they will shoot down any “foreign objects” to pass through.

It came amid a growing rift in Israel’s cabinet, with Benjamin Netanyahu accusing Mr Gallant of using “anti-Israel narrative” as the Israeli news media reported Mr Gallant disparaged Netanyahu’s goal of “total victory” over Hamas as “gibberish”.

After the Ynet news website reported Mr Gallant’s remarks, the Prime Minister’s office said in a statement: “When Gallant adopts the anti-Israel narrative, he harms the chances of reaching a hostage release deal.

“Israel has only one choice: To achieve total victory, which means eliminating Hamas’s military and governing capabilities, and releasing our hostages. This victory will be achieved.”

In an apparent attempt to ease tensions with Mr Netanyahu, Mr Gallant attacked the leak from what had been a closed-door meeting.

Mr Gallant posted on social media: “One of the main vulnerabilities revealed in the war, against which we must act with full force, are the incessant leaks from sensitive and classified meetings,” he said.

“During a security briefing I gave today to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, I emphasized I was determined to achieve the war’s goals and continue fighting until Hamas is dismantled and the hostages are returned,” he said.

It has been reported recently that the rifts between the two men are so great Mr Netanyahu is considering firing Mr Gallant. However the New York Times reports that this is not currently on the agenda.

With AFP