By Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant issued a stark warning on Wednesday, promising a “lethal” and “surprising” retaliation against Iran for its recent missile attack. The statement comes as Israel continues large-scale military operations in northern Gaza and escalates its ground offensive against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.
Gallant, addressing troops, declared, “Our strike will be lethal, precise and above all, surprising. They won’t understand what happened and how. They will see the results.” His comments follow Iran’s October 1 missile barrage against Israel, which was largely thwarted with U.S. assistance.
On the diplomatic front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden held their first phone call in seven weeks. The White House reported that the call included discussions on Israel’s deliberations regarding its response to Iran’s attack.
The ongoing violence stems from Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which has led to a cycle of destruction and death in Gaza. Israel is now expanding its week-long ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon while considering a major retaliatory strike on Iran.
In northern Israel, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a rocket attack that killed two civilians in Kiryat Shmona. The town’s acting mayor, Ofir Yehezkeli, confirmed that the victims were a couple walking their dogs.
Meanwhile, in northern Gaza, intense fighting continues in Jabaliya, an urban refugee camp dating back to 1948. Residents report being trapped in their homes since Sunday, with Israeli forces battling militants in the streets. Mohamed Awda, a local resident, described the situation as “like hell,” with drones and jets constantly overhead.
Gaza’s Health Ministry reported recovering 54 bodies from Jabaliya and surrounding areas since Sunday, with fears of more casualties in inaccessible areas. The ongoing offensive has raised concerns among residents about potential forced displacement and long-term Israeli control of northern Gaza.
