Iran's Attack on Israel Is More Than Pundits Think
Iranian ballistic missiles rained down on Israel at about 7:30 PM local time this evening, sending nearly ten million people rushing toward bomb shelters across the Jewish state. Thankfully—and despite impacts across the nation—not a single Israeli was killed. However, dozens of missiles did hit their intended targets, and others came close. These targets included Israeli air bases and military intelligence facilities, such as Mossad headquarters outside Tel Aviv. Civilian population centers were at risk, as well, though no lives were lost from the few missiles that landed in and around those areas.
One may be tempted to describe today’s attack as an Iranian failure. After all, with no Israeli casualties and only limited damage, what did Iran accomplish? (One person—a Palestinian—did die, though no one would dare describe that as an Iranian victory.) But that misses the implications of this attack within the broader context of the war. Today’s attack was the largest ballistic missile strike ever conducted by Iran, and the second such attack in less than six months. That Iran was willing to do this twice, shows they are willing to do it again, and that this second attack was larger than the first, shows they are willing to escalate again.
What this means is Israel will not be safe until Iran’s ability to strike the Israeli homeland is eliminated. Israelis cannot be expected to live in constant fear of yet more missiles threatening their lives and forcing the entire population into bomb shelters at a moment’s notice. No society can function under such conditions. No people deserve to live in such a state of fear.
As much as pundits want to risk of a war to disappear—so they can sound smart to their listeners—it will not happen until Iranian military capabilities are crippled. Nor will it happen because the war has already begun.
Israel will counterstrike. Statements from Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Israeli ambassador to the UN made that clear. The Wall Street Journal reports that sources confirm Israel will strike Iranian nuclear facilities and oil infrastructure. Iran stated any Israeli attack will be met with another and more severe Iranian response.
Welcome to the new world of tit-for-tat military escalation. Who knows where the escalation ends?