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The US believes Israel has narrowed down potential targets for its response to Iran’s recent missile attack to military and energy infrastructure, NBC reported, citing US officials who weren’t identified.
The Middle East remains on high alert for further escalation in a year of war as Israel battles Iran-backed groups Hizbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. Tehran, a major oil producer, has threatened Israel with severe consequences if the Islamic Republic is attacked.
Israel has repeatedly said it will respond to Iran’s missile barrage on October 1, which was launched in retaliation for Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon and the killings of a string of Hamas and Hizbollah leaders.
There is no indication that Israel will target nuclear facilities or carry out assassinations, the NBC report said, citing unnamed US officials and adding that Israel has not made final decisions about how and when to act.
US and Israeli officials said a response could come during the current Yom Kippur holiday, according to the report. Israeli officials have not publicly commented on the report.
The conflict between Israel and Hizbollah erupted a year ago when Hizbollah began launching rockets at northern Israel at the start of the Gaza war, and has sharply escalated in recent weeks.
Israel’s military said it continues to operate in southern Lebanon to dismantle Hizbollah infrastructure.
“Over the past day, the IAF (air force) has struck approximately 200 Hizbollah targets deep in Lebanon and southern Lebanon, including cells, launchers, anti-tank missile posts, and terrorist infrastructure sites,” it said.
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