Iran may attack Israel on the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’Av, a date which is associated with tragedies that have befallen he Jewish people over the millennia.
By World Israel News Staff
Israeli intelligence believes that Iran will strike Israel within the next few days, despite recent report that Tehran was rethinking a direct attack against the Jewish State following intense international pressure.
An Axios report acknowledged internal division within Iran’s leadership regarding the scale and nature of the retaliatory attack, which comes as a response to the July 31st assassination of Hamas head Ismail Haniyeh on Iranian soil, a slaying which has widely been attributed to Israel but for which Jerusalem has not officially claimed responsibility.
Two intelligence sources told Axios that while recently inaugurated Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian would prefer to avoid a direct confrontation with Israel, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on all state decisions, is determined to do so.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant phoned Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Sunday to inform him that it appeared Iran is gearing up for its attack.
The Pentagon confirmed the call had taken place, adding that Austin had ordered a guided missile submarine deployed to the region.
Monday evening marks the beginning of Tisha B’Av, a Jewish holy day focused on the tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people over the millennia.
Some analysts have suggested that Iran will intentionally attack on Tisha B’Av for symbolic reasons, as the day is associated with death and destruction in the Jewish collective memory.
Enemies of Israel have frequently attacked on Jewish holidays.
The October 7th massacres took place on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, which marks the end of the Sukkot festival.
The Yom Kippur war began in 1967 on that holiday, which is the most important in Judaism and sees Jews spend the day fasting and praying.
Channel 13 suggested that the end of the Olympics in Paris could be another factor as to why an attack may occur this week.
According to the outlet, the French heavily pressured Iran and Hezbollah not to strike Israel during the games.