Israeli military and political heads are holding intense discussions on how best to launch an independent attack on Iran, should the need arise, the nation’s defense force chief said Tuesday.

“The Iranian challenge is very significant and we must approach it with a responsible long-term strategy,” IDF chief Benny Gantz said, The Times of Israel reported. “We will do what is necessary when it is necessary.

Mr. Gantz specified that Israel had the ability to hit Iran’s nuclear targets on its own — absent aid from any other country, including the United States. And ongoing military-political talks were focusing on that scenario, he said, in The Times of Israel.

Mr. Gantz include a warning to Hamas in his remarks, which were broadcast by various radio stations in Israel.

If peace from Hamas in Gaza did not continue, he said, then it would be Gaza residents — not Israelis — who “would hurt,” he said in the The Times of Israel report.

(Source: Washington Times)