Israel faces 'double pressure'

Jerusalem [Israel], April 5: Iran continues to warn of possible retaliation against Israel, as Israel receives international criticism, including from some allies, for the attack that killed aid workers in Gaza.
Threat from Iran
Speaking before Iranian officials in the capital Tehran on April 3, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israel would "receive a slap" after a recent airstrike targeting an Iranian diplomatic building in Syria, according to AFP. Mr. Khamenei also announced that efforts to defeat Israel in Gaza would continue and that "this regime is about to decline and disintegrate."
The attack that killed seven members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has raised concerns about a new spiral of violence in the Middle East. The Times of Israel reported that although it did not admit to carrying out the attack, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they had strengthened their air defense capabilities as well as mobilized reserve soldiers to guard against Iran's reaction. . The IDF also temporarily suspended leave for combat units because they "are in a state of war and the deployment of forces is being continuously evaluated as required," according to an IDF statement dated April 4.
Channel 12 television in Israel commented that Iran is likely to retaliate by launching missiles directly from its territory instead of through any proxy group. If Iran responds through proxy forces, Israel could accept it and let this round of conflict gradually cool down. However, an attack from Iranian territory would likely force Israel to respond strongly, escalating tensions.
Pressure from allies
At the same time, Israel faces increasing pressure from allies and partners because of the attack on a convoy carrying aid from the charity organization World Central Kitchen (WCK) in Gaza. Seven people, including citizens of Poland, Australia and Britain, died in the incident for which Israel has explained and apologized. But Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appeared dissatisfied with Israel's explanation. "We need to take responsibility for how things happened, and the statements that have been made, including that this is just a product of conflict, are not convincing enough," Reuters quoted the official as saying. leaders spoke on April 4.
The wave of calls for Britain to stop selling weapons to Israel increased after the incident. Reuters yesterday said that three former Supreme Court judges and more than 600 people working in the legal profession in the UK sent a letter calling on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government to change its policy, saying that arms transactions with Israel will making London complicit in the "genocide" in Gaza.
US President Joe Biden said he was "outraged and heartbroken" by the attack on the aid convoy, and is scheduled to have a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on April 4. Previously, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin "expressed outrage". According to a statement from the Pentagon, Mr. Austin said the tragedy "reinforced concerns" in Washington about the military operation that Israel may be about to launch in Rafah, one of the last refuges for Palestinian civilians. in Gaza.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper