In what experts describe as the most intricate deception campaign in Israel’s history, the Israeli government launched a major preemptive strike against Iran – code-named “Operation Rising Lion”—targeting key nuclear facilities and senior military leadership. This unprecedented operation was concealed beneath layers of real political drama and misleading signals that misdirected both domestic and foreign observers.

Strategic Deception Behind the Strike

Israel’s operation against Iran was not only a military event but a carefully choreographed illusion. Amid genuine political turmoil over the controversial Conscription Law and speculation about a potential collapse of Netanyahu’s government, military preparations proceeded in secrecy.

Disguising Intentions: Key figures, such as Mossad Director David Barnea and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, remained in Israel instead of traveling abroad for expected diplomatic consultations with U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steven Witkoff. Reports falsely suggested diplomatic priorities, while covert military plans were already in motion.

False Timelines: Prime Minister Netanyahu’s personal calendar—including a planned family vacation and his son’s wedding scheduled for the beginning of this coming week—helped foster the impression that no military action was imminent.

Information Control: Only a tightly restricted circle within Israel’s leadership was aware of the strike’s details. Even top officials were kept in the dark to avoid leaks.

Despite clear signals—like U.S. evacuation alerts in the region and increasing speculation in international media—Israel’s silence held, successfully preserving the element of surprise. Presumably, the only “outsider” who knew about the planned strike was U.S. President Donald Trump.

Operation “Rising Lion”: The Strike Itself

In the early morning hours of Friday, Israel initiated a sweeping aerial assault against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Over 200 Israeli fighter jets struck around 100 high-value targets, including:

Natanz and Fordo: Iran’s underground nuclear enrichment facilities

Military Command: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Hossein Salami and Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri were killed, along with some other, senior personnel

Scientific Core: Six senior nuclear scientists were eliminated.

According to the IDF, the attack marked a critical point where Iran’s nuclear capabilities posed an imminent existential threat. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel could not afford to delay: “If we don’t act now, we simply won’t be here.” As one tabloid expressed it: “The danger is here, and the choice was between preemption and regret.”

The operation itself was planned and put together over a number of years. It was executed following extensive intelligence, covert operations inside Iran and meticulous planning, combined with an “extraordinary joint effort by the IDF, Mossad and Israel’s defense industries” .

Biblical Symbolism: Naming the Operation

The name “Rising Lion” is drawn from the biblical prophecy of Balaam in Numbers 23:24, where Israel is described as a powerful lion rising to conquer its enemies. This reference comes from the Torah portion Balak, where Balaam, sent to curse Israel, ends up blessing them under divine compulsion.

“Behold, a people rises like a lioness, and lifts itself like a lion; it will not lie down until it devours the prey and drinks the blood of the slain.” – Numbers 23:24

Netanyahu reportedly placed a written prayer with this verse into the Western Wall ahead of the operation, framing the strike not just as military necessity, but also as fulfillment of a prophetic vision of national survival and triumph.

Aftermath and International Reaction

Though the strike dealt a significant blow to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, retaliation was expected and was not late in coming.

Israel’s strike on Iran revealed deep political divides:

In Israel: Broad consensus across political lines supported the action. Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, after being briefed on the results of the operation, including the pin-point elimination of military personnel and others who plotted to destroy Israel, lauded the operation as a “striking achievement” that sent a clear and unambiguous message: “Anyone working to annihilate Israel will be eliminated.”

In the U.S.: While the Trump administration backed the move, Democratic leaders and much of the international community condemned it, calling for restraint and renewed diplomacy, with very few countries taking their heads out of the sand and truly understanding “the threat that Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program represents to international peace and security…”

The strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities and military capabilities may have delayed Iran’s nuclear progress and restored Israel’s regional deterrence. But, it has also heightened tensions in an already volatile Middle East. As with the October 7 attack that left Israel reeling, this strike represents a critical turning point – except this time, Israel dictated the terms. The strike also clearly demonstrated that Israel is willing – and able – to act decisively when it perceives its very existence is at stake.

What is expected to happen in the coming days? As of this writing, it appears that Iran will be acting like a wounded lion in its hatred of Israel and blood lust to retaliate against it. Within hours following Israel’s preemptive strike, Iran launched over 100 armed drones, as well as Cruise missiles, from Iran and other locations, including Iraq.  Certain television news sites published that about 850 drones were actually sent against Israel by mid-morning.

Multiple barrages of ballistic missiles punctuated the sky line over Israel during the night (between Friday and Shabbat), particularly, in the center of the country. Most of the projectiles were downed by Israel and some of its neighbors, who came alongside when push came to shove. Nevertheless, some of the missiles did manage to get through, causing major damage to property, as well as injury to dozens and, as of this post, resulting in the deaths of at least three Israels. Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, said that by targeting civilian population centers, Iran “crossed red line” and that  “We will continue to defend the citizens of Israel and ensure that the Ayatollah regime pays a very heavy price for its heinous actions.” See here and here.

While many of the missiles managed to make their way to Israeli air space, it is important to note what was expressed on Channel 12 News last night. Many Iranians reported independently of one another that a number of missiles that were launched from Western Teheran mysteriously exploded seconds after being launched. It was as though the “Beeper Operation” that occurred with the Hezbollah pagers took place in Iranian missiles. The attached site is in Hebrew.

Teheran accused the United States of complicity in Israel’s actions against Iran, saying that continued U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations were meaningless and that Israel “succeeded in influencing” the diplomatic process and the Israeli attack would not have happened without Washington’s permission.” For its part, the U.S. gave mixed messages. The Secretary of State claimed that Israel’s action was “unilateral”, with Israel acting alone. The President, on the other hand, first expressed public opposition to Israel attacking Iran, but after Israel’s amazing accomplishments, he claimed to know and impliedly took credit for the preemptive strike against Iran. He gave the Mullahs 60 days to come to terms with the U.S. over their nuclear ambitions. The implications were clear. “Today is day 61…I told [Iran] what to do, but they just couldn’t get there.”

The days ahead, several key developments can be expected. These can be grouped into military, diplomatic, domestic, and regional outcomes:

1. Military Escalation: 

Continued Israeli airstrikes; Missile interceptions and damage control; Targeting of Hezbollah (if Hezbollah enters the conflict, Israel will likely open a second front in the north, including preemptive or retaliatory attacks on southern Lebanon); Cyber warfare: Both countries may escalate cyber operations, targeting infrastructure, military systems, and communications.

Regional Fallout: Proxy activation (Hezbollah, Houthis in Yemen, militias in Iraq and Syria) may launch coordinated attacks on Israel and U.S. interests in the region.

Gulf States will be on increased Alert: UAE, Saudi Arabia, and others may tighten defenses, anticipating possible spillover or being dragged into broader confrontation.

Oil Prices and Shipping: Disruption in the Persian Gulf could cause oil prices to spike; Iran may threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, impacting global trade.

Civilian and Domestic Impact in Israel: Mass Mobilization: The IDF may expand its call up tens of thousands of reservists; Casualties and Trauma: If Iran’s missile barrages continue to penetrate Israeli defenses, civilian deaths and infrastructure damage could be significant.

Internal Unity or Political Crisis: A “rally-around-the-flag” effect could occur initially, but criticism of leadership decisions might increase rapidly, if casualties increase and the government response falls short of what will be required (primarily due to lack of sufficient resources and qualified personnel).

Massive casualties: Shelters and hospitals could become overwhelmed, with insufficient staffing and facilities.

2. Diplomatic Repercussions

U.S. and Western Response:

Strong rhetorical support for Israel is likely, along with enhanced military aid; increased U.S. presence into the region and offer of interception assistance. This could be accompanied by internal U.S. dissent, urging restraint to avoid full-scale regional war and potential U.S. involvement.

UN and International Condemnation: Nothing new on this end – condemnation of Israel and expressions of sympathy for Iran, as the terror king of the Middle East.

European Mediation Efforts: France, Germany, or Turkey may seek to mediate a ceasefire to avoid uncontrollable escalation.

3. Risk of Broader War:

All-Out War Potential: If attacks on civilians in Israel escalate or Hezbollah again opens a northern front, the situation could spiral into a multi-front war resembling or surpassing the scale of 1973 or 2006.

Nuclear Threshold Tensions: In response to Israel targeting of Iranian nuclear facilities, Iran may make an all-out effort to accelerate its nuclear program in response, or even withdraw from the NPT, prompting the need for more urgent and global intervention.

4. Media and Psychological Impact:

Disinformation and Propaganda: Both sides will flood social media and news outlets with narratives to sway domestic and international opinion.

Global Protests and Unrest: Expect pro-Israel and pro-Iran demonstrations around the world, along with increased antisemitic or anti-Muslim incidents in some regions.

Final Thought: The immediate days will likely be shaped by uncertainty, escalation, and international anxiety. The key question will be: Will this stay or contain the Israel–Iran conflict, or will it become a regional or even global crisis? Much will depend on:

The scale of civilian casualties.

The duration and targets of Iranian retaliation.

The role of the United States and the West.

And whether de-escalation channels remain open, especially via backdoor diplomacy.

Just as this was about to be sent out, Iran threatened to attack the U.S., the U.K. and France. Wake up now, world! You’ll never forgive yourself tomorrow, if you don’t act today.

“I pursued my enemies and overtook them, I did not turn back till they were destroyed,” (Psalm 18:37) quoted yesterday by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Thank you for continuing to pray for Israel (Gen. 12:3), for wisdom for its leadership; wisdom, skill, precision and success for the IDF; for healing, grace and compassion for the wounded; for the return of all of the hostages, both alive and dead; for a spirit of national unity; for an outpouring of a spirit of repentance and a return to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Shabbat Shalom.

Marvin