Israel's Ambassador to Turkey, Irit Lillian, said on Sunday it was too early to talk about mediation offers between Israel and the Islamist group Hamas, adding the attacks showed that Hamas should not have any presence in Turkey or elsewhere.
On Saturday, Hamas launched an attack against Israel, for which Israel vowed "mighty vengeance" in response. Hundreds of Palestinians and Israelis have been killed, in what Israel has said is a war.
In an online briefing with journalists, after Turkey said it was in contact with all parties and stood ready to de-escalate, Lillian said Israel's priority was its response to the attack.
Israel’s counterterrorism expert who predicted the Hamas invasion
A little over a month ago the former counter-terrorism adviser to two Israeli Prime Ministers authored a prescient essay, outlining an invasion of the Hamas terrorist movement into Israel.
The counter-terrorism adviser, Yigal Carmon, the founder and president of the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), wrote on August 31 the “Signs Of Possible War In September-October.”
Carmon noted “There has also been an increase in efforts by Iran and Hezbollah to smuggle weapons into the West Bank, similar to the smuggling of weapons into Gaza.”
"Lately there have been growing indications that a war against Israel may break out in September or October 2023. The trigger may be spiraling violent clashes resulting in many casualties, or the use of new weapons leading to many fatalities on the Israeli side,” wrote Carmon, who worked to combat terrorism for Yitzhak Shamir and Yitzhak Rabin.
The counter-terrorism expert noted “There has also been an increase in efforts by Iran and Hezbollah to smuggle weapons into the West Bank, similar to the smuggling of weapons into Gaza.”
Carmon added “There have recently been increasing reports about the potential use of new weapons by Hezbollah, Hamas and the PIJ that can cause a large number of Israeli fatalities, such as extra-powerful explosive charges and rockets fired on Israeli localities, as mentioned above. In this situation, Israel will likely be compelled to undertake a large-scale response, above and beyond its routine counterterrorism measures, even at the cost of an all-out war.”
Security cabinet approves declaration of war
The security cabinet approved a declaration of war on Saturday night in accordance with article 40 of the Basic Law: The Government, the cabinet said Sunday.
Article 40 allows the government to order “significant military action that may lead, with a level of probability close to certain, to war." The prime minister will be able to make certain decisions with only the approval of the security cabinet as well.
The cabinet also requested that the Knesset approve the activation of emergency regulations which would allow detainees to be held for extended periods without the detainee being brought before a court.
IDF takes control of 22 villages, 29 entry points Hamas used to enter Israel
PM Netanyahu holding situation assessment with Gallant, defense establishment
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a situation assessment with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, and other leaders in the defense establishment on Sunday morning.
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