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Israel to retaliate swiftly and decisively if attacked — top defense official

The media reported earlier that Israeli military officials believe that Iran could strike the country on April 12, which is the last day of Eid al-Fitr

TEL AVIV, April 10. /TASS/. Israel will very quickly and decisively retaliate against the attack of anyone striking it, the country’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said.

"If someone attacks us (Israel - TASS), we will retaliate by striking its territory, no matter where it is. We will know how to respond quickly with decisive attacking actions," he said.

"We (Israel - TASS) are successful in this. The enemy never knows what surprises we’re preparing," he added.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said earlier that Jerusalem will retaliate if Tehran attacks it from Iranian territory. In turn, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Israel made a mistake by attacking the consular office of Tehran’s Embassy in Syria in early April and will face retribution for the strike.

The Times of Israel reported on Tuesday that Israeli military officials believe that Iran could strike the country on April 12, which is the last day of Eid al-Fitr.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the ministry has been preparing for every possible scenario "regarding Iran."

Israeli strike on Damascus

On April 1, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Public Relations Department reported the death of seven Iranian military advisers in a strike by the Israeli air force on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital. Two IRGC generals, Mohammad Reza Zahedi and Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, and five officers were killed in the strike. According to Iran’s IRIB TV channel, Zahedi was in charge of Iran’s Al-Quds special forces in Lebanon and Syria. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Tehran would make Israel repent for the strike, while President Ebrahim Raisi vowed that the attack would not go unanswered.

Israel has so far made no statements on responsibility for the airstrike. However, Israel Defense Forces Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told CNN that, according to the Israeli military’s data, the strike had not targeted Iran’s consulate but an IRGC military facility, which he claimed had only been disguised as a civilian building.

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