Israel Prepares for Possible New War with Iran as Netanyahu Holds Two Meetings

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again discussed the possibility of continuing the war against Iran at an Israeli security cabinet meeting on Monday evening local time, according to Hebrew-language media reports. The Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom reported that Netanyahu held a second mini-security cabinet meeting within 24 hours, focusing on the potential rekindling of conflict with Iran. The paper said the latest meeting was held just a day after a similar gathering on Sunday night. According to the daily Yedioth Ahronoth, Sunday’s meeting followed Netanyahu’s telephone talks with U.S. President Donald Trump to coordinate the ‘next steps regarding Iran’. Israel Hayom quotes a source familiar with U.S. movements saying the prospect of a fresh strike against Iran is becoming more likely. ‘A new American strike against Iran is not a question of if, but when,’ the source was quoted as saying by Israel Hayom. According to the report, the forthcoming attack is expected to differ from previous operations and target locations previously avoided by Trump. However, there has been no official confirmation from the Israeli or U.S. governments regarding the plan for a new military operation. Israeli media also cited security sources who said precautionary measures had been taken in anticipation of a possible escalation with Iran. The sources said Israel has carried out various military and security preparations to face potential further conflict. Tensions between Israel and Iran have continued to escalate in recent months after a series of attacks and counterstrikes involving both countries and their regional allies. The situation heated further after the United States and Israel were previously accused of Iran launching attacks on Tehran’s strategic and military facilities. On the other hand, Iran has warned it would open a ‘new front’ if attacked again by Israel or the United States, and reiterated that it would continue to control the Hormuz Strait. Based on information from the Foreign Ministry, of nine Indonesian nationals (WNI) who joined the Peace Convoy Indonesia on the GSF 2.0 mission, five are reported to have been detained. He said communications during the journey were limited and only at certain times depending on field conditions. A humanitarian activist from Makassar, Andi Angga Prasadewa, 32, was one of the five Indonesians abducted by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) while taking part in a humanitarian mission to Gaza, Palestine. The Turkish government condemned the actions of Israeli forces who intercepted the Gaza humanitarian flotilla, Global Sumud Flotilla, in international waters en route to the Gaza Strip. The United Arab Emirates rejected Israel’s claim of a secret visit by Netanyahu during the Iran–Israel war, saying the reports were unfounded. Netanyahu revealed a secret visit to the UAE during the war; the meeting was said to strengthen the strategic ties between the two countries. The Wall Street Journal reported that the UAE allegedly carried out a secret strike on an Iranian facility on Lavan Island in retaliation for Tehran’s attacks on its infrastructure. The Israeli Parliament officially enacted a law establishing a special military court to try Hamas militants for the October 7 attacks. The U.S. President Donald Trump rejected the Iran peace proposal and said the current ceasefire was in a critical condition.