IDF pauses leave for all combat units as tensions between Israel and Iran rise: "More aware, more prepared"

According to the IDF, they are fighting "all our enemies" on multiple fronts.

Following the attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, tensions between Iran and Israel have escalated further, with Tehran threatening "revenge" and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) canceling troop leave.

"We [have been] dealing with Iran since the 7th of October, and [on] every single front possible – Houthis in Yemen, militias in Iraq, militias in Syria, Hezbollah, Hamas… so, Israel is in full readiness for any scenario," Amir Avivi, a retired Brig. Gen., told Fox "It’s not the first time that they threaten to retaliate after an alleged Israeli attack."

"I think that our Ministry of Defense is taking this seriously," Avivi stated. "As the defense minister stated, we are, indeed, more vigilant and prepared, but we are not significantly altering our current course from what we were doing prior to the conflict."

As of yet, Israel has not claimed responsibility for the missile attack that killed senior Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Mohammad Reza Zahedi on Monday when it struck Tehran's consulate in Damascus, Syria. The first to point the finger at Israel, according to a Lebanese security source cited by Reuters, was an Israeli military spokesperson who replied, "We do not comment on reports in the foreign media."

The IDF has, however, implemented a number of operational adjustments, including removing all IDF leave and mobilizing more reservists to support the force's air defense systems along Israel's northern border, according to The Telegraph. Widespread GPS disruptions on applications have also affected Israel; some users have been seen to be in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. Israeli outlet Haaretz reported that these disruptions were intentional attempts to confuse Israeli drone threats.

Israel is engaged in a multifaceted conflict, as stated by IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari, who stated, "We are in a multi-front war." We are examining all of our adversaries in addition to Hamas. We keep an eye out for threats and opportunities to be prepared for any situation."

Iran has attempted to link the attack to both Israel and the United States, but the United States has consistently stated that it was not involved in the attack while also ostensibly confirming Israel was the perpetrator. Reporters were instructed by Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh to refer to the Israelis as "to speak to their strike."

"We made very clear to the Iranians that we had no involvement in this strike, we didn't know about it at the time, and we warned them not to use this attack as a pretext to attack U.S. facilities or personnel," State Department spokesperson Matt Miller reiterated during a briefing on Wednesday.

Iran pledged "revenge" for the attack, and ahead of Quds day on Thursday, Iran's top leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, told his Israeli counterparts that they would get a "slap in the face" for the "heinous" attack. The Times of India reports that Khamenei said Israel would meet its end and collapse.

U.S. military commanders are worried that the Damascus strike could trigger more attacks on American bases in Iraq and Syria due to Iran's persistent threats. In the months that followed October 7, there were 150 such attacks against the United States; however, after three American troops were killed in January, the number of attacks dropped and eventually stopped.

According to Avivi, Iran is more likely to use its numerous proxy militias, which have been attacking American personnel and facilities in the area since October 7, to retaliate if it does decide to do so. Furthermore, the attack is more likely to target diplomatic targets abroad, such as Israeli consulates or embassies, which is similar to the target that was hit in Damascus.

"Whether it’s drone attacks or an attack from Hezbollah or in Yemen or the militias in Syria and Iraq – if they feel they have operational capability, they might try to do something, not necessarily in Israel," Avivi stated. "They are undoubtedly also considering the fact that Iranians are slow learners. They give things careful thought and contemplate for a while."

"It doesn't necessarily have to be something in Israel," he said. They have attempted to kill Israelis outside of Israeli embassies in the past. They may make use of the militias once more, though maybe not directly. I doubt that Iran would be very interested in going up against Israel. I'm not sure if it will benefit them.

According to Fox News Digital, Matt McInnis, a senior fellow at the Institute for the Study of War, there is "legitimate concern" regarding Iran's targeting of diplomatic facilities. He expressed worry about Iran's use of diplomatic cover to conceal its military activities, but he also pointed out that this could change.

"Iran has used its embassies and diplomatic personnel to run military, paramilitary and terrorist activities for decades, however, undermining international legal principles," McInnis stated.

"Iranian ambassadors in the Middle East are often Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps leaders, for example," he said. "Iran is likely re-evaluating whether diplomatic protocols can continue to hide and protect IRGC operations in the region."

Even though Israel hasn't claimed credit for the attack, part of that diplomatic cover involves trying to get the UN to condemn Israel for it.

In a statement denouncing the attack on Iran's "diplomatic premises," Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, reiterated the idea of the inviolability of diplomatic and consular facilities and personnel.

"He also reminds all parties to respect all their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, as applicable," Dujarric stated. "He also repeats his calls on all concerned to avoid attacks that could harm civilians and damage civilian infrastructure."

"The secretary-general further calls on all concerned to exercise utmost restraint and avoid further escalation," Dujarric went on to say. "He cautions that any miscalculation could lead to broader conflict in an already volatile region, with devastating consequences for civilians who are already seeing unprecedented suffering in Syria, Lebanon, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and the broader Middle East."

Prior to an urgent U.N. Security Council meeting, Russia proposed a resolution denouncing the attack, but the United States, Britain, and France blocked it. The three allies informed the council that insufficient clarity in the facts hindered members from coming to an agreement.