IDF Presents Gov't With Poss Responses To Iran Strikes Amid Global Focus

Wires reporting that the Israeli army has presented the gov't with a list of possible responses to the Iranian drone/missile strikes on Israeli territory over the weekend. The list comes after a meeting of the Israeli war cabinet on 14 April at which reports claim that no decision was made, although the ministers are seen to be leaning closer to retaliation than non-retaliation.

• The actions of the Israeli gov't are subject to major global focus, with headlines dominated by comments from gov'ts calling for restraint to avoid a major escalation in the Middle East. The calls range from Israel's closest ally, the US, through to a number of major European nations, through to Russia seeking to avoid an Israeli retaliation that some fear could spark a regional conflagration.
• There remains a significant amount of uncertainty not only with regards to Israel's potential response, but to the impact of any action on the broader situation in Gaza. PM Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged a military operation in the city of Rafah to counter Hamas, despite the US and other allies warning against such a move.
• The Iranian attacks could see Netanyahu double-down on his commitment to eliminate Iranian-backed Hamas, potentially bringing forwards any assault. Alternatively, the risk of a broader conflagration with Iran or its proxy in Lebanese Hezbollah could see IDF pulled away from Rafah in order to operate in other theatres.