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[Global Times reporter Li Ziyu] According to the Israeli Times, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu declared on the 4th that Israel has made all preparations and will strongly fight back if Iran launches an attack.

Netanyahu profile picture from foreign media

"We are ready for any situation, both offensively and defensively," Netanyahu said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting, according to reports. "Israel is fighting on multiple fronts," he said, "We are striking every branch of Iran with great force."

Netanyahu reportedly declared, "I reiterate and tell our enemies: we will respond to any act of aggression against us and make them pay a heavy price, no matter where it comes from."

The report mentioned that hours after Netanyahu's speech, Israeli Defense Minister Galant said that Israel is "fully prepared" and ready to respond quickly to any attack. "We are fully prepared in terms of land and air defense and are ready to launch a rapid attack or response at any time," Galant said. "We will make the enemy pay the price, just as we have done in recent days. If they dare to attack us, they will pay a heavy price."

According to previous media reports, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard confirmed on July 31 that Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) Political Bureau, was assassinated in Tehran in the early hours of the same day. Hamas immediately issued a statement saying that the assassination was committed by Israel and was a "cowardly act". Hamas vowed to retaliate against the attacker. After Haniyeh was assassinated, no organization or individual claimed responsibility for the attack. Israel also did not respond.

The news of Haniyeh's assassination in Iran shocked the Middle East and the world. The New York Times quoted three Iranian officials with knowledge of the matter on July 31 as saying that Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei has ordered a direct attack on Israel in retaliation for Haniyeh's assassination in Tehran. The Washington Post reported on July 31 that Khamenei said in a statement that it is "our responsibility" to avenge Haniyeh's death. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any retaliation would be "harsh and painful." According to Axios News Network local time on the 4th, three so-called sources familiar with the call revealed to the media that US Secretary of State Blinken told the G7 foreign ministers on the 4th that Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah's attacks on Israel could begin as early as Monday (5th).

"Two enemies of Israel killed, pushing the Middle East to the brink of a larger war", the headline of the Wall Street Journal in the United States expressed the concerns of the international community. The New York Times revealed that Iranian leaders have issued orders to directly attack Israel, but it is unclear how strong Iran's response will be, nor whether it will adjust again to avoid escalation.