During a visit to an air force base on Wednesday, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant addressed pilots and air crews, emphasizing the significance of their preparations. “After we strike in Iran, everyone will understand what you did in the preparation and training process,” Gallant said.

Gallant made his remarks at Hatzerim Air Base as Israel gears up for its response to Iran’s major ballistic missile attack on October 1. He added, “Everyone who dreamed a year ago of beating us and attacking us paid a heavy price and are no longer in that dream.”

Israel has conducted multiple large-scale drills over the years, simulating long-range attacks on Iran as part of its readiness for a possible conflict with Tehran. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the FBI announced it is investigating the unauthorized release of classified U.S. documents detailing Israel’s most recent preparations for a retaliatory strike.

In recent days, social media posts have speculated about a U.S. Defense Department employee being under investigation for the leak, but no concrete evidence has been provided.

Speaking in Rome, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin clarified to reporters that there were no signs that any Office of the Secretary of Defense personnel were involved in the investigation of the leak.

The leaked documents, reportedly from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency, reveal that Israel continues to position military assets in anticipation of a strike in retaliation for Iran’s ballistic missile assault.

Iran, for its part, has been preparing for Israel’s expected reprisal after the October 1 attack, in which 200 ballistic missiles were launched, causing widespread panic as much of Israel was forced into bomb shelters. The attack resulted in the death of a Palestinian man in the West Bank and caused minor damage in residential and military areas. Iran stated that the missile assault was a response to Israeli strikes in Lebanon that killed key Hezbollah leaders and a July explosion in Tehran that killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Israel has hinted that its response may be more extensive, especially after a Hezbollah drone attack targeted Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s private residence in Caesarea on Shabbos, which Netanyahu has called an assassination attempt by “agents of Iran.”

{Matzav.com}