Israel braces for Iranian retaliation after Soleimani assassination

IDF heightens alertness along border regions, fearing possible retaliation by Iran-aligned groups Hamas and Hezbollah; Defense officials meet in Tel Aviv for 'situational assessment'

Associated Press|
Defense Minister Naftali Bennett summoned Israel's military and security chiefs to Tel Aviv on Friday in the wake of the U.S. airstrike that killed senior Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani.
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  • As Iranian officials vowed revenge, the government of America's closest ally in the Middle East gave no immediate public response to the deaths of Soleimani and of Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in Baghdad.
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    קאסם סולימאני
    קאסם סולימאני
    Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani
    (צילום: AFP)
    But Army Radio said the military had gone on heightened alert, amid fears that Iran could strike through its regional allies such as Tehran-backed Lebanese movement Hezbollah to the north, or through Palestinian militant group Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza.
    "They will wait for the right moment to exact revenge, perhaps by firing into Israeli territory through Shiite militias in Syria and perhaps even from Gaza," wrote Ynet analyst Ron Ben-Yishai.
    In Gaza, Hamas - which has long enjoyed financial and military support from Tehran - condemned Soleimani's killing and sent its "dearest condolences" to Iran.
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    בנימין נתניהו עם ראש ממשלת יוון ונשיא קפריסין חתימה הסכם צינור גז ב אתונה
    בנימין נתניהו עם ראש ממשלת יוון ונשיא קפריסין חתימה הסכם צינור גז ב אתונה
    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to Greece
    (Photo: AFP)
    With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visiting Greece, Bennett called senior commanders together on Friday morning for a "situational assessment," ministry officials said.
    IDF spokesman Avichay Adraee said on Twitter the Mount Hermon ski resort - which lies in the Golan Heights close to the fortified frontier with Syria - had been closed "following an assessment of the situation."
    He added: "There are no further instructions to the residents of the Golan Heights area and routine activities continue as normal."
    Israel has long regarded Soleimani as a major threat. In August last year, the military said it had foiled a Quds Force attack, administered by Soleimani, involving multiple drones from Syria.
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    Aftermath of U.S. strike that killed Qassem Soleimani
    Aftermath of U.S. strike that killed Qassem Soleimani
    Aftermath of U.S. strike that killed Qassem Soleimani
    (Photo: Courtesy)
    And Israel accused him of leading Quds Force efforts to establish a precision-guided missiles program for Hezbollah.
    Israeli media commentators said that ministers in Netanyahu's right-wing coalition government had been asked not to comment publicly on Soleimani's killing.
    "The goal is clear: not to unnecessarily complicate Israel and keep the message as unified as possible," said Dana Weiss, chief political analyst for Channel 12 news.
    But Yair Lapid, an opposition lawmaker for Blue & White, congratulated U.S. President Donald Trump on Twitter for killing those responsible for "murderous terrorist acts from Damascus to Buenos Aires" and that Soleimani's "blood is forfeit."
    Hamas said Soleimani "had a senior role in supporting Palestinian resistance in all fields". It extended "its dearest condolences to the Iranian leadership and the people of Iran at the martyrdom of Major General Qassem Soleimani."
    Gaza-based Hamas official Bassem Naim wrote on Twitter that the assassination "opens the doors of the region to all possibilities, except calm & stability. USA bears the responsibility for that."
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