Israel currently stands on high alert as it anticipates potential military assault from Hizbullah, Iran, or other Iranian regional affiliates. The recent assassinations of a senior Hizbullah commander in Beirut, for which Israel claimed responsibility, and Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the Hamas political office in Tehran, which is assumed to be Israel’s action despite no formal confirmation, have escalated tensions dramatically.
Iran has reportedly communicated to the Lebanese Hizbullah-affiliated Al Mayadeen network that it sees the killing of Haniyeh as crossing all boundaries. This has led to Tehran ignoring pleas to restrain their response, as it fears this would only incite more Israeli onslaughts.
Despite the escalating threats and rising tensions, life in Israel continues as usual. There are no extraordinary directives from civil defence at this point. However, the expectation of an incoming military attack is a prominent concern among the populace.
Individuals with concerns have already begun hoarding supplies like bottled water, canned food, transistor radios, and batteries, anticipating power outages, and opting to remain at home near a secure room or bomb shelter. Conversely, others remain unmoved by the threats, maintaining their everyday routines to avoid giving satisfaction to their adversaries.
Conversations are rife with speculation following the dual assassinations, with questions of when the assaults will happen, their duration, the probable military or civilian targets, and whether this could spark an expansive regional war involving Iran and the US, dominating discussions.
The residents of greater Tel Aviv received another jolt when Israeli intelligence disrupted GPS networks on a recent Sunday to counteract the danger of drones or missiles operating on satellite navigation guidance systems, a clear indicator of the abnormal circumstances.
Across central Israel, drivers have noted locations in Beirut cropping up on their ing-car GPS systems. This type of interference has been a recurrent issue for those based in the north ever since October 8th, a day post the attack by Hamas, when Hizbullah commenced incursions across the border.
International travel schedules too have undergone significant alterations, with a rise in international airlines suspending flights to and from Israel, leaving an abundance of Israelis isolated overseas. The fortunate few who have managed to secure places on inbound flights are shelling out two to three times the usual rates.
Over the previous weekend, The Wall Street Journal cited that “Arab leaders have conveyed warnings to Iran on the part of the US and Israel, stressing that Israel is prepared for conflict if there are overly aggressive responses from Hizbullah and Iran”, for example, strikes on Tel Aviv or deeper into Israeli territory.
The Israeli air defences are primed to their maximum alert state, ready to intercept any rockets, missiles and unmanned airborne devices (UAVs). The Arrow system is geared up to intercept long-distance ground-to-ground missiles from Iran and Yemen, while the David’s Sling and Iran Dome systems are on alert to counter missiles and other aerial risks.
Amidst threats of prospective missile and drone attacks, Israel and the US have tightened their collaborative efforts. The US has declared that another aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, would be upping its presence in the Middle East, joining forces with the USS Theodore Roosevelt currently patrolling the Gulf of Oman.
Washington, in likely harmony with allied Arab nations, is also boosting its regional defenses with augmentations in aerial defense systems, vessels, and fighter aircraft.