Israel says when Iran plans to attack the country

Iran plans to attack Israel on the day of Tisha Be'Av, the day of the catastrophe of the Jewish people, which in 2024 falls on 12 and 13 August. This is reported by Sky News Arabia with reference to sources in Western intelligence.

It is indicated that the attack is planned as a response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, and it will be coordinated by representatives of Hezbollah from Lebanon.

Israelis may feel particularly vulnerable on this day," the publication noted.

The ninth of Av, or Tisha Be'Av, is one of the most mournful days in the Jewish calendar. It is a day of national mourning, commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples of Jerusalem.

Recall, the leader of the Palestinian group Hamas Gania was killed in his residence in Tehran. The cause of his death was a bomb planted in the house and detonated remotely. Hamas blamed Israel for his murder and vowed to avenge his death.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior Iranian officials said Iran also blamed Israel for Ghania's death and intended to avenge his death.

Ismail Haniyeh was a Palestinian politician and one of the leaders of the Islamist movement Hamas. He was Prime Minister of the Palestinian state from 29 March 2006 until 2 June 2014. Hamas is recognised as a terrorist organisation in the European Union and the US, and Ghaniya himself was recognised as a terrorist by the US in 2018.

Meanwhile, the WSJ writes that a strike on Israel could be more powerful than the one in April 2024, when Iran launched more than 300 missiles and drones at the country within hours. The West believes that the attack could involve not only Iran and Hezbollah, but also other associated regional militias such as the Yemeni Houthis and militants in Iraq.

In light of the possible escalation, the Pentagon has announced the deployment of additional military assets in the Middle East.