DAY 192 ISRAEL AT WAR: How and When Will Israel Retaliate, Hostages, New Medical School, Defense Industries

Tel Aviv Diary, April 15, 2024

I have changed the title of the daily update, as clearly this is no longer just a Gaza War — if it ever was...

The world and Israel are now obsessing over what Israel's response will be to the Iranian attack. Within Israel, there is a consensus that a response is necessary, though what form that response should take is still being debated. Options being considered range from a cyber attack to a full-scale military strike on Iran's nuclear program.

There has been global support for Israel, yet numerous world leaders have urged Israel to either refrain from responding or to limit its response. Israel must do whatever is in its best interests. However, it isn't easy to reconcile statements from world leaders affirming that Israel has every right to retaliate against actions like those taken by Iran yet advise against taking any action. Additionally, I would pose a question to President Biden: You said "Don't," and Iran did; shouldn't you respond in some way?

Today, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi visited Nevatim Air Base, home to Israel's F-35s and a primary target of the Iranian attack yesterday. During his visit, Halevi declared that there will be a response to the Iranian aggression.

I read an interesting report suggesting that the US believes Israel is planning a significant deep strike into Iran. The intention behind this action appears not so much to escalate the confrontation but rather to demonstrate Israel's capabilities. While I make no predictions, I will say that if I were making the decisions, I would strive to ensure that whatever action taken would undermine the regime. Ultimately, the only real solution is a regime change in Iran, a change that is long overdue.

ARTICLES WORTH READING

Here are three very different articles worth reading:

“Iran Just Made a Big Mistake. Israel Shouldn’t Follow” by Thomas Friedman. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/14/opinion/israel-iran-attack.html

“For Israel, Revenge Should Be a Dish Served Cold” by Bret Stephen. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/14/opinion/israel-iran-netanyahu-biden.html

“A Test of Strength” by David Frum. https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/04/what-israels-allies-must-do-now/678070/

LATEST PUBLIC OPINION POLLS

Here are the results of an opinion poll taken on the last day:

HOSTAGES

Hamas has made a counterproposal to the American hostage release plan. They propose releasing only 20 hostages, specifically categorized as humanitarian, implying that just half of the 40 hostages discussed last week (comprising the elderly, the ill, women, and children) are still alive.

This release would constitute the first of two stages. In exchange for 20 hostages, Israel would provide Hamas with a six-week ceasefire and withdraw from the areas where its troops are currently stationed in Gaza, allowing all Gazans to return home.

Concurrently, Gaza is receiving an increased influx of food, and even those who claimed that we have been “starving the people of Gaza as a policy” have mostly fallen silent. With the opening of bakeries in Gaza, the local population is being fed while our hostages continue to die.

LEBANON

Last night, an Israeli patrol operating on the Lebanese side of the border was ambushed by an IED. Four soldiers were wounded, one seriously.

WEST BANK

Two Palestinians were killed near Nablus during clashes with settlers. By all indications, the Palestinians were shot by the settlers.

TUCKER CARLSON

Last week, Tucker Carlson devoted an episode of his show to discussing Israel’s alleged persecution of Christians. Carlson featured a minister from Bethlehem known for his clear anti-Israel views. This raises questions about why Carlson chose this topic and only spotlighted this perspective.