Israelis reacted with muted satisfaction Friday to the killing of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the mastermind behind decades of terrorism
Israelis reacted with muted satisfaction Friday to the killing of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani, a man they considered the mastermind behind decades of terrorism directed against their country, even as they braced for potentially deadly retaliation by Iran and its proxies at a time of pitched tension in the region.
“Qasem Soleimani is responsible for the death of American citizens and many other innocent people. He was planning more such attacks,” Netanyahu said. “President Trump deserves all the credit for acting swiftly, forcefully and decisively.” The scope of the threat highlighted the central role Soleimani, commander of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, has played in Iran’s efforts to extend its influence and spread Islamic revolution around the region. Israelis have long viewed him as the ruthless and capable architect of terrorist infrastructure that surrounds the country, including Iran’s swelling presence in Syria and Iraq.
Still, the likely broader impact of the killing was far from clear. Israel had been calling for world leaders to take a tougher stand against Iran’s expansionist activities, particularly its nuclear ambitions and efforts to upgrade Hezbollah’s arsenal with guided missiles. Many here had grown frustrated with President Trump’s idle response to previous Iranian attacks, including strikes on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia and tankers in the Gulf of Oman.
One consequence that Israelis feared was that the escalation marked by Soleimani’s killing – and the feared reaction – could lead to a pullout of U.S. troops from Iraq, opening the way for even great Iranian influence there. That could mark a repeat of Trump’s drawdown in Syria last year, which was widely criticized here.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Israel PM seeks immunity, buying time until after voteIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday he would seek immunity from corruption charges, likely delaying any trial until after March elections, when he hopes to have a majority coalition that will shield him from prosecution.
Read more »
Opinion: The threat of democratic fatigue in Israel is real – around its election, and its choices around the U.S. and ChinaFor the third time in less than a year, Israelis will head to the polls – an election that showcases the risk to democratic values
Read more »
U.S. airstrike in Baghdad kills leader of Iran’s elite Quds force, Iraqi militia commander‘The U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani,’ a Pentagon statement said
Read more »
Who was Qassem Soleimani, and why was he an icon in Iran?Relatively unknown in Iran until the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, Soleimani’s popularity and mystique grew after American officials called for his killing
Read more »
Iran promises to avenge U.S. killing of top commander Qassem SoleimaniIran’s leader said harsh revenge awaited the ‘criminals’ who killed Soleimani. His death would double the motivation of the resistance against the United States and Israel, he sai…
Read more »