Striking Iran’s nuclear facilities ‘on the table’, says ex-Mossad intelligence chief
A former official at the Israeli spy agency says targeting nuclear facilities in Iran is among the options on the table as Israel decides how to respond to Saturday’s attack. Meanwhile, Iran’s president has warned the “tiniest move” against the country would bring a “fierce” response.
The former director of intelligence at the Israeli spy agency, Mossad, says targeting nuclear facilities in Iran is among the options on the table as Israel decides how to respond to Saturday’s attack.
Zohar Palti spoke to The World with Yalda Hakim in Jerusalem about possible responses after Iran launched more than 300 missiles and drones at Israel.
Asked if everything was on the table, including targeting nuclear facilities, Mr Palti said: “No doubt. Everything is on the table right now.”
Pressed on whether this included nuclear facilities, he said: “Including everything.”
Iran temporarily closed its nuclear facilities on Sunday over “security considerations” and the International Atomic Energy Agency kept its inspectors away for two days.
The attack on Israel came after a deadly suspected Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria. The IDF said 99% of the weapons fired at Israel failed to break through its air defences.
Meanwhile, Israel approves $5bn plan to rebuild communities near Gaza border.
The cabinet has approved a five-year plan that would see $5bn spent on rebuilding and strengthening communities near Israel’s border with Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would invest the funds in housing, infrastructure, education, employment, health and other areas.
The funding came after the Hamas attacks on 7 October targeted communities near the border.
“Hamas terrorists wanted to uproot us – but we will uproot them and deepen our roots,” Mr Netanyahu said in a statement.
“We will build the land of Israel and protect our country.”
The prime minister’s office said local communities would work with government ministries, and along with the business sector and philanthropy, to bring the region to be a “vital, flourishing and attractive area”.
