Those options include attacks on Tehran facilities and the possibility of cyberattacks, said the official, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the talks.
“Everyone agrees that Israel has to respond,” the official said. “The question is when and how do you react?”
The United States, the United Nations and Israel's European and regional allies all called for restraint after Iran launched a barrage of more than 300 drones and missiles on Saturday night.
The five-hour onslaught was a response to Israel's deadly attack on Iranian diplomatic facilities in Syria this month, which was repulsed by an international alliance including the United States, France and Britain, and the support of both countries. was limited. middle east.
This comes alongside what analysts say is an unprecedented strategic opportunity for Israel to rejoin international powers and repair regional alliances after friction over its war with Hamas. It provides a model for cooperation against Iran. But the opportunity could still be wasted if Israel misjudges its response and projects short-term strength over long-term goals, they said.
“If we can take advantage of this, it's an opportunity to build a new U.S.-led regional security coalition against Iran,” said Chuck Freilich, former vice chairman of Israel's National Security Council and senior fellow at the Israel National Security Institute. Stated. Tel Aviv. “Who would have imagined that we would become part of a coalition that includes Britain, France, Jordan and perhaps other Arab countries?”
He said the success of Israel's air defenses and allied response, repelling the attack with only minor damage and one serious injury to Israel, meant that Israel acted with confidence rather than panic. He added that it means he can do it.
European leaders on Monday morning reiterated their concerns about the potential deterioration of the regional security situation. “The right thing to do is not to escalate,” British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said in an interview on BBC television. “As friends, we urge them to think with their hearts and minds, to be smart and tough, and to recognize that Iran suffered this defeat because the attack was a failure.”
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed similar sentiments: “We are all concerned about the possibility of escalation,” Macron told French radio.
U.S. officials also stressed to Israel that they would not join in any Israeli response amid fears it could lead to a broader regional war. Israeli officials said they were mindful of these concerns.
“Our allies don't want us to overreact. We want to work with them, especially after we have had successes with them,” the Israeli official said. “We don't need to cause any casualties, but it's important that we respond because it sends a message to everyone who would try to harm us.”
Yair Golan, a former deputy chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, said the strikes would do little for Israel in its fight against Iranian proxies in the region and concerns about its nuclear program.
“Israel has been fighting Iran for years, with varying levels of intensity,” he said. “It won't stop tomorrow or the day after. And if Israel responds now, it won't stop.”
He said Israel should focus on its long-term goals by harnessing the energy behind its emerging new alliance against Iran. “We cannot afford to be confused here. Iran has escalated the war,” he explained. “But Israel needs to act wisely to strengthen its regional and global front against them.”
The October 7 Hamas-led attack killed 1,200 people in communities around Gaza and shattered the Israeli public's sense of security. Among Israelis, the country's success in repelling Saturday's attack has restored some confidence in the state and reduced its sense of international isolation.
“I think something terrible could have been avoided on Saturday night,” said student Yosef Levy, who was shopping for groceries in Jerusalem on Saturday. On the walls of shops around him are still posters showing the faces of Israelis held captive in Gaza, some faded and others recently replaced. “It was like the world remembered that we were under attack. I hope it changes something, I hope it ends the war. I don't think anything will change until we get back to normal.”
The Israeli public is polarized on how Israel should proceed with the war, with some prioritizing the return of the hostages through an agreement with Hamas, and others prioritizing a push for total victory.
“We're being pulled in different directions,” Lee Sapir, a 39-year-old lawyer in Tel Aviv, said after dropping his toddler off at kindergarten on Monday, the first time schools opened since Saturday night's attack. “On the one hand, I encourage the government to respond and stand its ground, but on the other hand, I think we need to focus on the hostage deal at this time.”
But there has been little progress on the deal, with Hamas rejecting the latest offer from Israel over the weekend to at least temporarily suspend attacks in exchange for the release of hostages.
It remains unclear whether this attack could affect operations in Gaza. The Israeli military summoned two reserve brigades for “operational missions in the Gaza Strip” on Sunday night, sparking speculation that the attack on Rafah would accelerate. Freilich said the force did not appear to be of the “scale” needed for Operation Rafah, adding that it was likely intended to refresh forces along the Gaza partition line rather than begin a buildup. .
Golan also said he sees no intention of Israel entering Rafah at this time. But he said Iranian attacks were already having an impact on the war.
“Israel's goal there is to secure the freedom of the hostages, dismantle the Gaza Strip and find an alternative to Hamas rule,” he said. “To make that a reality, there is an amazing new alignment against Iran. We have to leverage that in the Gaza context as well.”