(October 27, 2024, Washington, DC)
On October 26th, in the early hours of the morning, Israel launched wave after wave of attack on Iranian missile manufacturing sites and aerial defense systems, causing damage in their ability to launch further attacks against Israel. This was done in retaliation for the April 13th Iranian launching of 200 projectiles into Israel, and the October 1st Iranian launching of yet another barrage of 181 ballistic missiles against
the Jewish state.
According to Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, every nation has the right to defend their citizens against acts of aggression. This is the first time, since October 7th, 2023, that Israel has taken the war to the very doorsteps of Iran, whose terror proxies have been launching a relentless war on seven fronts, for over a year. As IDF Spokesman Daniel Hagari stated, “I can now confirm that we have concluded the Israeli response to Iranian attacks against Israel. We conducted targeted and precise strikes on military targets in Iran, thwarting immediate threats to the State of Israel.”
Israel had revealed its plans to the United States, prior to the attack, avoiding, at America’s request, a direct hit on Iran’s energy installations or nuclear facilities, Israel’s precise and exact retaliation has avoided a wider escalation of the conflict, particularly at this sensitive juncture. It is well known that Israel maintains the capability to inflict heavy damage on Iran’s energy and nuclear facilities. The nature of the retribution indicates a wide degree of self-discipline and caution. It also makes Iran more vulnerable to future Israeli strikes.
The United States did not participate in this military action, but has promised that if Iran retaliates, the United States is “fully prepared to once again defend against any attack.”
Says Sarah Stern, Founder and President of EMET, “The IDF has succeeded in depleting a significant amount of the Iranian terror proxies of Hamas and Hezbollah that have been attacking the Jewish state for well over a year. This military response to the Iranian head of the octopus, has demonstrated a great deal of restraint, discipline and caution, but also sends a powerful message to the Islamic Republic that Israel can operate within Iran, can precisely pinpoint Iranian military sites and can penetrate the Russian defense capabilities, with impunity. All of this demonstrates that Israel maintains the resolve, the capability and the determination to defend its citizens against any further existential threats from Iran.”
EMET is an unabashedly pro-Israel and pro-American think tank and policy institute that educates members of Congress and policymakers about the entire Middle East.
