Defense Minister Israel Katz said on July 19 that Israel will strike Iran “with full force” if Iranian missiles hit Israeli territory, hours after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fired interceptors over Eilat as Iranian missiles targeted the nearby Jordanian port of Aqaba.
“We are prepared for both defensive and offensive action.”
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz says Israel is ready to respond to Iran with ‘full force’ if Iran attacks again. pic.twitter.com/PN8ipWWUac— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) July 19, 2026
Speaking during a visit to a rescue service facility, Katz said Israel is prepared for both defensive and offensive action if Washington changes its policy. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said the military tracked the launch toward Aqaba and that Israel’s Aerial Defense Array remains on alert to protect civilians.
A senior Israeli official told Channel 12 that Israel is building immediate and strategic operational options to join an expanded American campaign, while US envoy Steve Witkoff and Qatari mediators continue working to restart negotiations.
The warnings came as US Central Command (CENTCOM) launched an eighth consecutive night of strikes on Iran, following an Iranian missile attack that killed two American troops in Jordan. Tehran has not directly targeted Israel in the current round of fighting.
Behind the public statements, Israeli planners face a two-front problem. Ynet reported that an Israeli entry into the conflict would pull Military Intelligence Directorate and air force assets away from Lebanon, opening gaps against Hezbollah infrastructure that officials say remains intact around the strategic Ali Taher ridge.
Officials are also weighing a miscalculation scenario in which Iran misreads activity at Israeli air bases as preparation for a strike and launches a preemptive attack of its own.
Iran’s unrestrained operations across the Gulf increase the likelihood that Israel will be forced to enter “the operational arena very soon,” a senior Israeli security official said on July 19.
