Israel ramps up threats as October 7 anniversary looms: Netanyahu prepares for strikes on Iran despite US warnings

Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian

On the day Israel was putting the final touches on the first-anniversary commemoration of October 7, it found itself at the peak of preparations for an attack on Iran, which could turn this anniversary into a pivotal moment in both its history and that of the Middle East.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with the support of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and the leadership of Israel's security and military apparatus, insists on delivering a severe blow to Iran in response to its ballistic missile attack.

This comes amid disagreements with Washington, which has called on Tel Aviv to refrain from striking nuclear or oil facilities out of concern for sparking a regional war. 

General Michael Kurilla, the commander of the U.S. Central Command in Tel Aviv, is attempting to prevent such a conflict. However, Netanyahu, coinciding with Kurilla's arrival, escalated his threats, stating that Israel has the right to deliver a painful response — a position supported by Gallant.

Israel has long planned to eliminate what it calls the "Axis of Evil," led by Iran and its proxies in the region. With its current wars in Lebanon and Gaza, Israel is taking steps toward achieving this goal.

The primary target is Iran. Israel believes that the successful elimination of Hezbollah's leadership, particularly its Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, and the assassination of Hamas' Political Bureau chief, Ismail Haniyeh, in Iran, would start a snowball effect.

From Lebanon, which witnessed a violent night on Saturday, Israel is planning to breach the southern border, advancing 30 kilometers. In Gaza, it is carrying out its fiercest strikes in Jabalia and Rafah, which serve as launch points for what is known as the "Generals' Plan."

The plan aims to relocate northern residents deeper into Gaza and occupy the region to eliminate the remaining Hamas fighters.

Despite Israeli casualties and the extensive damage caused by Hezbollah's rockets and drones in northern Israel, including Haifa, Tel Aviv, Nahariyya, and, for the first time on Sunday, Hadera in central Israel, Tel Aviv still believes it is on the path to victory on multiple fronts.

However, these declarations do not yet reflect the situation on the ground.

Israel's residents spent three days of the Jewish New Year holiday in shelters under fire from more than 900 rockets and drones. Funerals were held for 19 people, including 11 soldiers and eight others killed in a shooting attack in Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, the families of the hostages continue to call for an immediate end to the war.