The Minister of Defense of Israel, Israel Katz, warned this Wednesday that the Armed Forces of the country "will respond with total force" in the event of an attack from Iran during the Jewish holidays, statements that come just weeks before the celebration of Yom Kippur, the most relevant date on the Jewish religious calendar.
During a conference organized by the Israeli newspaper 'Yedioth Ahronoth' and the portal Ynet, Katz pointed out that Iran "likes to attack during the holidays," although he emphasized that, if an attack were to occur, "Israel would be prepared" and is "monitoring all events" in the region.
"The Prime Minister and I follow the situation daily together with the Army, and sometimes we talk in the middle of the night. We do not take any information lightly and do not want surprises. We are prepared," he indicated, stressing that Israeli forces remain on alert and have the capacity to "attack Iran if necessary."
In this regard, he emphasized that "in the event of an attack, there will be a strong response, regardless of everything else." Likewise, he reiterated that Tehran "normally attacks when there are holidays because it hates Jews." "Look at how many things have already happened," he stated.
"We don't care what the reason is: whether it's Lebanon, the West Bank, Gaza, or just because they feel like it, our plans are what they are," Katz affirmed, who also addressed the option that Iran might attempt to "rebuild its nuclear program," which he considers "destroyed in the context of the war."
"We destroyed the entire production process, everything. There was an active program, but we have put an end to it. Since then, they have not renewed it, but we have to ensure that they do not manage to acquire the capabilities to develop it again," the minister maintained, before stressing that Israel "will not allow Iran to have nuclear weapons."
Similarly, he clarified that "if something like that were to happen, we would have to attack jointly again." "Our campaign has considerably weakened Iran. It has removed an existential threat, eliminated (Ali) Khamenei, and ended its strategic capabilities. It has pushed them back decades," he added.
In relation to the victims caused in the context of the offensive, he has acknowledged that "there have been some," although he has emphasized that "there could have been many more." "We have achieved a great victory over Iran. Our greatest enemy is now much weaker than us," he has concluded.