IDF chief approves battle plans on ‘various fronts’ as Israel, US identify increased Iranian attack preparations

WSJ: Israeli military on high alert after observing preparations for attack

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IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi approved battle plans in a meeting attended by the Israeli military's highest brass on Monday evening, as multiple reports indicate the Iranian Armed Forces are preparing for an attack against Israel.

Halevi approved battle plans for “various fronts” during a situation assessment attended by the IDF's Military Intelligence chief and the commanders of the Operations Directorate, the Northern Command, the Home Front Command, and the Israeli Air Force (IAF), among others.

“The chief of staff emphasized the continuation of high readiness and assessment efforts for attack and defense,” the IDF said in a statement.

The statement followed numerous reports throughout Monday indicating the Iranian regime was moving ahead with its plans to attack Israel in retaliation for the alleged Israeli assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month.

On Monday, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant informed his U.S. counterpart, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, that intelligence indicated Iran was actively preparing to launch a significant attack against Israel in the coming days.

In addition, Lebanese media reported that Hezbollah was also preparing to attack Israel. In light of the report, Israel Defense Forces issued a new order on Sunday prohibiting its soldiers and military personnel from staying in the countries of Georgia and Azerbaijan. The IDF also forbade Air Force personnel from leaving Israel at this time.

IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Daniel Hagari released a statement on Monday evening, stating there would not be any changes to the IDF Homefront Command directives for the time being.

Hagari also confirmed media reports that the IDF was on “highest alert” for a potential attack.

“In recent days, we are tracking our enemies and the developments in the Middle East, especially Hezbollah and Iran,” he said.

“We view the statements of our enemies seriously, and are therefore prepared at the highest level of readiness for defense and attack,” Hagari stated and assured the Israeli public that it would be provided with an update as soon as possible.

“We will update [the public] as early as possible… but without giving our enemies an intelligence or operational advantage,” Hagari emphasized.

The Wall Street Journal on Monday evening cited an informed source who stated that the IDF had raised its alert level for the first time this month after observing direct preparations by Iran and Hezbollah for an attack.

Israeli and U.S. officials also informed the Axios news outlet that the Iranian regime is acting similarly to its behavior in April, having taken “significant preparatory steps with its missile and drone units." However, the exact timing of any potential attack remains uncertain.

“The Iranians openly signal (on the ground) their determination to carry out a significant attack in addition to their public statements that the attack will exceed the one they carried out in April. Iranian public statements do not reflect any retreat,” Axios political correspondent Barak Ravid was told by an Israeli source.

On Monday, White House Spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. shared Israel’s estimation that Iran and its proxies could launch an attack against Israel this week.