Reports-Netanyahu To Postpone Iran Strike Until After Passover

Multiple reports suggesting that PM Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to postpone any retaliatory strike against Iran until after the Jewish holiday of Passover, which begins on 22 April and ends after sunset on 29 April (a number of outlets reporting 30 April, but in Israel for most sects Passover lasts seven days, rather than eight for many outside of Israel). With ABC reporting that according to three Israeli sources the gov't nearly launched strikes on two nights this week, only for them then to be aborted, a delay of nearly two weeks to any retaliatory strike could give further time for Israel's allies to urge caution and de-escalate the situation.

• There remains the strong likelihood that the Israeli gov't will launch some form of retaliatory strike following Iran's mass drone/missile attack over the past weekend. Indeed, hardliners in the Netanyahu gov't are demanding a significant response. Finance Minister Bezalal Smotrich from the ultranationalist Religious Zionist Party said that the strikes should "rock Tehran so everyone there will realise they shouldn't mess with us."
• Indeed, Netanyahu stated that Israel "would make its own decisions" with regards to its response rather than following the direction of its allies. This came after talks with UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron, where the former British PM called for a 'smart' response that was limited in nature.
• ABC: "A range of responses have been presented to the Israeli war cabinet. The potential responses include options ranging from attacking Iranian proxies in the region but not on Iranian soil to a potential cyber attack, sources told ABC News."