Yinon Magal Says He Was Ready to Defend a Decision Not to Strike in Beirut

Yinon Magal said he was initially surprised that the prime minister chose to strike in Beirut's Dahieh district, and admitted he had been prepared to argue in favor of not attacking. He described the decision as highly complex, especially while negotiations between Iran and the United States were underway and amid fears of wider escalation.

In his remarks, Magal said Iran was threatening to quit the talks and fire at Israel, which would then force Israel to decide whether to respond. He also cited pressure on Donald Trump to reach a deal, mentioning the U.S. 250th anniversary celebrations and Trump’s birthday, and said the timing made the choice even harder.

Magal contrasted his stance with critics who had spent the morning calling the leadership cowardly and saying it would not strike. He said the government ultimately did attack, and predicted that criticism would then shift to claims that the strike damaged relations and showed irresponsibility, or that it put Trump "under the wheels of the bus."

He argued that once the decision to strike had been made, Israel should follow through and prepare for the next stage. Saying that fighter jets were already in the air before dawn, he urged Israel not to wait if Iran fires back, but to have the aircraft ready to respond immediately.