Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided not to implement pre-approved plans for retaliation in the event of an attack. Israel informed the United States on Monday of the decision to wait.
Washington had called on its ally to exercise restraint. It is unclear whether Israel will attack Iranian territory directly or just pro-Iranian militias in neighboring countries. Passover commemorates the flight of the Israelites from Egypt around 3,000 years ago and runs from April 22nd to 30th. Iran's Revolutionary Guard remains on high alert. Many high-ranking members would be in sanctuaries or underground facilities, sources say. Israel will launch a retaliatory strike against Iran. However, when this will take place is still unknown. An Israeli attack against Iran before the end of Passover is unlikely, a senior U.S. official told CNN. The news ticker is at the bottom of the page and will be updated as more information comes to light about the Israeli response to the Iranian attack is made available. Qatar's prime minister announced on Wednesday that he would "reassess" Qatar's role as a central mediator in talks about a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a hostage release. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of exploiting regional tensions "to stay in power. " The 27 EU heads of state and government want to discuss a possible tightening of Iran sanctions in the evening. Chancellor Olaf Scholz once again calls on Israel not to respond to the Iranian attacks with a massive counterattack. The attack deep in Lebanon comes after a Hezbollah drone strike today that injured 14 soldiers and four civilians. The Israeli war cabinet decided at the beginning of April to open the Erez border crossing and temporarily the port of Ashdod to aid deliveries after the USA called for the expansion of humanitarian aid in view of the catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip.