Jerusalem Post: Officials Warn Netanyahu and Katz Statements May Trigger Iranian Preemptive Strike

The "Jerusalem Post" reported that senior Israeli officials warned that the repeated public alerts issued by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz regarding a potential Iranian attack before the elections scheduled for October 27 could push Tehran to misjudge Israel's intentions and decide to launch a preemptive strike.

The newspaper clarified that officials in the security establishment expressed concern that the repetition of warnings about an imminent attack by political leaders, along with the extensive media coverage it has generated, might be interpreted in Tehran as Israeli readiness for an attack, leading Iran to strike first. Meanwhile, a security source told the "Walla" website that "as time passes, the likelihood increases that we will have to face a confrontation with Iran... between a reality where we reach an agreement with Iran and another where we attack, the probability of war grows."

The newspaper noted that according to officials, the statements by Netanyahu and Katz are primarily aimed at deterring Israel's enemies and preventing them from executing their plans. They said, "The question that worries us is whether the enemy will decide to attack or not. We know he is currently considering this possibility. The statements of the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister aim to deter," emphasizing that "the existence of intelligence information about potential intentions of the enemy justifies public warnings, even without a specific intelligence alert regarding the timing or nature of the attack."

The newspaper concluded that reports indicated an increase in Israeli fighter jet exercises over the country amid speculation about a possible military campaign against Iran. It stated that the political leadership would have to issue orders to the army to strike targets across Iran to destroy what remains of its nuclear program and defense industries producing ballistic missiles that threaten the Israeli home front. Security officials estimate that the decision will be made after the elections based on their results and in coordination with the United States.