During last week’s round of fighting, the IDF planned a large wave of strikes on Iran in response to the ballistic missiles launched at central Israel. The Times of Israel reports that the IDF has confirmed the operation was planned but was canceled at the last minute. The operation would have been significant, with hundreds of Iranian targets slated to be struck. According to reports, the decision to cancel the strikes was made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the request of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Before the cancellation, the Air Force did strike some targets in Iran last week in response to Iranian missile fire on Israel.
“In parallel with the defensive battle, the air force launched an offensive 1,500 kilometers [932 miles] from home. Within a few hours, dozens of targets in Iran were struck, significantly damaging the Iranian air defense system and hitting additional regime components,” he (Israeli Air Force chief Maj. Gen. Omer Tischler) wrote.
“In parallel with the defensive battle, the air force launched an offensive 1,500 kilometers [932 miles] from home. Within a few hours, dozens of targets in Iran were struck, significantly damaging the Iranian air defense system and hitting additional regime components,” he wrote.
But a larger planned operation did not go forward. Tischler said that on the afternoon of Monday, June 8, “the entire Air Force was ready to take off for a broad strike sortie” that would have included attacks on “hundreds of targets in the heart of Iran.”
However, he said, “the strike was halted while we were briefing in the squadrons, just one hour before the departure for the sortie.”
Meanwhile, fighting in Lebanon and northern Israel continued yesterday as Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets at IDF soldiers throughout the day. The IDF also confirmed that it struck operatives belonging to the terror group. Fortunately, the rockets fired at Israeli forces were intercepted by air defenses. No warning sirens were activated in Israeli towns or cities along the border.
The Fellowship and our supporters pray for the brave men and women in northern Israel and for the communities they continue to protect. May they remain safe, successful in their mission, and under God’s protection.
