Israel's cabinet reportedly ordered military readiness for a possible Iran strike

Note

Israel's security cabinet has reportedly instructed the military to raise its readiness for a possible strike on Iran, Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported Wednesday evening, according to The Jerusalem Post and Anadolu. There has been no official government statement confirming that reported order. This is a reported readiness directive, not a confirmed decision to attack.

KAN said the directives could lead the military to carry out activities that could trigger a war, Anadolu reports. The Jerusalem Post, citing the same reporting, said the cabinet had issued the instruction even though it had not met since October 5.

The security cabinet is expected to convene on Sunday, the first meeting since October 5, KAN reported on Thursday, Anadolu's English service reports via A News. The Jerusalem Post, citing Israeli media on Thursday, also said the cabinet was scheduled to meet Sunday. Yedioth Ahronoth likewise reported a Sunday meeting, Anadolu said.

MK Gadi Eisenkot, the Yashar party leader who has been tasked by President Isaac Herzog with forming the next government, warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against unnecessary military operations until a new government is formed, The Jerusalem Post and Anadolu report. In a letter to Netanyahu, Eisenkot wrote that deploying security forces "without a direct and immediate threat that cannot be postponed could have devastating consequences for Israeli democracy and public trust in state institutions," The Jerusalem Post reports. Netanyahu accused Eisenkot of acting irresponsibly and said government decisions were based on security considerations, The Jerusalem Post reports. Netanyahu's office called the letter "an irresponsible move and an overt attempt to politicize security issues," Anadolu reports.

Senior security officials told KAN that the IDF continues to prepare for a possible renewal of military operations, in line with directives from the political leadership, The Jerusalem Post reports.