In view of possible Iranian retaliation against Israel, fears of military escalation are growing. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has now postponed his visit to Austria. Meanwhile, the Israeli army publishes new protection instructions for the civilian population.
The Austrian Foreign Ministry confirmed a corresponding report from the dpa news agency on Saturday evening. Katz is said to have met Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Chancellor Karl Nehammer (both ÖVP) on Tuesday.
The Israeli Foreign Minister’s trip would have started tomorrow, Sunday, and would have taken him first to Hungary. He then allegedly traveled on to Vienna. The visits have been postponed “until further notice,” Katz’s office said Saturday evening.
Military tensions in the Middle East have been rising for days. Following the suspected Israeli airstrike on the Iranian embassy complex in Syria, in which two brigade generals were killed, the government in Tehran has threatened its arch-enemy Israel with retaliation.
The civilian population receives protection instructions
Amid concerns about a possible Iranian retaliatory attack, the Israeli military published new protection instructions for the civilian population on Saturday evening. Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari told reporters that from Sunday there will be no school classes or other educational activities, no holiday camps and no organized excursions. The two-week school holidays for the Jewish Passover festival start on Sunday.
Homeland Security has also posted additional instructions on its website. These should start on Saturday evening at 11pm local time (10pm CET) and will initially last 48 hours. Accordingly, a maximum of 1,000 people will be allowed to participate in gatherings in areas not close to the Gaza Strip or Lebanon. In the so-called conflict areas, a maximum of 30 people are allowed to gather outdoors and a maximum of 300 people indoors. At work, especially in these areas, citizens should ensure that they can quickly reach a shelter if necessary.
Jordan closes its airspace for security reasons
Israel’s neighbor Jordan has closed its airspace due to military tensions in the region, according to a report. From 11pm local time (10pm CEST), the airspace will be closed to all flights, private television channel Roja News reported on Saturday evening, citing the country’s civil aviation authority. The move was justified by security concerns and “in view of the escalating risks in the region”.
Israel prepared for an attack
According to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the country is prepared for a possible Iranian attack. “We are closely monitoring a planned attack by Iran and its allies against the State of Israel,” Gallant said Saturday evening, according to his office.
“In recent days we have strengthened our defensive and offensive posture and we are determined to take all necessary measures to defend the citizens of the State of Israel.” Israel has also added “new capabilities – on the ground, in the air, at sea, in our Intelligence Directorate, within the State of Israel and with our partners led by the United States,” Gallant said.
“Iran is a terrorist state – the world is seeing this now more than ever. “We are committed to protecting our citizens from this terrorism and we will know how to respond.” Gallant urged the population to follow the instructions of the military and internal security.
The US stands with Israel
In view of the threat of a retaliatory attack by Iran on Israel, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has assured his Israeli counterpart Gallant of “unwavering US support”. During a telephone conversation, the two discussed “acute regional threats,” US Defense Department spokesman Pat Ryder said in Washington on Saturday. Austin made clear that Israel can count on “the full support of the United States” in defending itself against possible attacks from Iran and its allies.
Source: Krone
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