Israel Braces for Iranian Retaliation; Netanyahu Convenes Security Cabinets

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is convening a special session of Israel’s war and broader security cabinets Saturday night, in anticipation of a likely attack by Iran. This move follows an Israeli government directive to shut down all educational activities and camps starting Sunday as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stay on high alert. The closures will be reassessed early Monday morning, IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said.

The precautionary measures come as dozens of Israeli aircraft prepare to defend against any aggression, following Iran’s threats of retaliation after an attack on the consular annex of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, widely attributed to Israel, which killed several Iranian generals. The tensions escalated with Iran’s seizure early Saturday of an Israeli-linked container ship, MSC Aries, in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, alongside IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and other senior defense officials, are continuously monitoring the situation. Gallant emphasized the advanced capabilities Israel has integrated on various fronts and reiterated that any further escalation by Iran would be met with significant consequences.

Simultaneously, regional dynamics are shifting, with Jordan closing its airspace due to the looming threat, and several international flights have already been redirected. Within Israel, public dissent is growing, with tens of thousands protesting the government’s handling of the crisis. Demonstrators have gathered in multiple cities, including near the Jerusalem residence where Netanyahu and his wife Sara are reportedly staying in an advanced missile shelter.

Amid these developments, the Israeli security establishment maintains that Iran’s response will likely target military rather than civilian sites.