Former IDF Deputy Chief Uzi Dayan Warns Israel to Prepare Strong Response to Iran Attack

Retired Major General Uzi Dayan, former Deputy Chief of Staff and National Security Council head, spoke on Channel 14's "Israel This Morning" on Tuesday about recent U.S. strikes on Iranian targets in the Gulf. He urged Israel to be defensively prepared and stated that if Iran attacks Israel directly, the Israeli response must be much stronger and more significant than both the recent American strikes on Iran and Israel's own last attacks.

Dayan criticized U.S. policy toward Iran, describing it as a "mini-war" that fails to sufficiently pressure the Tehran regime. He claimed the Americans always leave room for negotiation, which Iran exploits, resulting in poor agreements rather than just wars. He warned that Iran might attack Israel either directly or through proxies like Hezbollah and the Houthis.

Regarding Gaza, Dayan supported a "kill and fold" policy but argued that fighting terror through targeted assassinations is too limited. He asserted that most Gazans are Hamas members and that the only solution is a full military and civilian occupation of the Gaza Strip, after which discussions about the post-Hamas era could take place.

On the Houthi threat, Dayan downplayed it as more of a nuisance than a serious danger to Israel and suggested making it an international issue. Concerning Lebanon, he praised Israel's current policy, including a framework agreement allowing Lebanese authorities to prove their ability to eliminate terror infrastructure and establish sovereignty. He warned that if Lebanon fails to do so, Israel will continue to act militarily to ensure its security, deterring Iranian threats.

Dayan's comments reflect heightened regional tensions and call for a robust Israeli stance against Iranian aggression and Hamas control in Gaza.