Israel could strike Iran before US, says retired IDF general

Iran is preparing its proxy forces for new war with Israel, forcing the IDF to face threats on multiple fronts if the US strikes Iran, former IDF general warns.

By World Israel News Staff

Israel may strike Iran before the United States, a retired senior Israeli military officer said this week, warning that Iranian proxy forces will likely be used to attack Israel from multiple fronts if and when a war does break out between Israel and Iran.

On Wednesday, Brigadier General (Res.) Amir Avivi, the head of the Habithonistim security advocacy group, took part in a conference hosted by the Israel Hayom newspaper on the future of northern Israel.

During the conference, Avivi said that while media attention has focused on the possibility of a war sparked by an American attack on Iran, Israel could also deliver the first blow.

“There could be a preemptive Iranian strike. We see the government and the security brass warning Iran,” Avivi said. “It is possible that we will launch an attack before the Americans do.”

Israel, he continued, is concerned by Iranian efforts to rebuild its proxy forces, including Hezbollah,  and may strike if it feels that time is on Iran’s side.

In the event that war breaks out in the region, either as a result of strikes by Israel, the United States, or as due to an Iranian attack, Israel will likely face another multi-front conflict,” Avivi added.

“Iran is moving its proxies to ensure they do not face us alone. We hear in the discourse that they are weighing this option. Therefore, the probability of a major attack in Iran coinciding with fire from additional sectors is very high. The IDF is not attacking in Lebanon constantly for no reason.”

However, should war break out and Hezbollah join in against Israel, the IDF will respond with overwhelming force “until they collapse,” Avivi claimed.