Israeli defence minister says Iran mission is not over and accuses Tehran of renewed nuclear push

A mission not yet complete

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz told a memorial service in Jerusalem on Sunday, 8 November, that Israel's mission against Iran has not been completed. The ceremony honoured soldiers who fell in the 1956 Suez War. Katz said Iran was trying to renew its efforts to acquire nuclear weapons and was pursuing other aims that put the State of Israel in concrete danger. Iran has long denied seeking nuclear weapons and defends what it describes as its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes. Katz said Israel was ready for every scenario and would act for as long as necessary to protect its citizens.

Warning to Hezbollah and a call for unity

Katz warned Hezbollah against joining any Iranian attack on Israel, saying the Lebanese group would suffer a heavy blow and lose further territory if it did. He said Israel would pursue a proactive and offensive policy and prepare for every scenario. Katz also urged Israelis to put national security above internal divisions. In his view, debate and differing opinions are acceptable, but differences must be set aside when the nation's security is at stake. He pointed to the big tasks still ahead as the reason for unity.

Politics after the 27 October election

Netanyahu's government lost its majority in parliament in the election held on 27 October. The caretaker government remains in office until a new coalition is sworn in, and it keeps its security powers in the meantime. The opposition has accused Netanyahu of wanting to provoke a new escalation with Iran to hold on to power. Herzog has given Gadi Eisenkot, who leads the opposition bloc, the mandate to form a new government, in a ceremony at the presidential residence in Jerusalem that was broadcast live. Aryeh Deri, leader of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, which holds six seats, has withdrawn from the Knesset list and will not sit in the 26th Knesset.

Background: war since late February

The United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran on 28 February, which Israel said aimed to eliminate what it called an existential threat from Iran's nuclear and ballistic programmes. The strikes killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other figures of the regime. The conflict has spread to Gulf countries, Lebanon and Yemen, with Hezbollah and the Houthis attacking Israel and US allies such as Saudi Arabia. Iran struck ships in the Strait of Hormuz, contributing to a sharp rise in oil prices that also pushed up fuel prices at American petrol stations. Donald Trump initially said the aim was to remove the Iranian regime and that the operation would last several weeks. Peace talks between Washington and Tehran are deadlocked despite mediation by Qatar.

Fears of renewed strikes

Before the US congressional elections on 3 November, there were fears of new Israeli-American strikes on Iran, and as of the latest reports none had taken place. The New York Times reported earlier that the United States and Israel planned a short, intense series of strikes on nuclear and military sites and energy infrastructure. According to that report, the aim was to push Tehran to accept American terms in negotiations, something Washington has not achieved since the conflict began. Katz's remarks came against a backdrop of speculation about a possible resumption of Israeli military operations against Iran.