Part 9/11:
Meanwhile, Israeli leaders propagated contradictory signals—claiming progress in hostage talks with Hamas and emphasizing diplomatic efforts—to distract Iran and mislead the international community about Israel’s true intentions and readiness for war. The Israeli government also continued ordinary life preparations, including Netanyahu’s decision to maintain his holiday plans during a tense period, adding layers of misdirection.
This deception was highly effective. It caught Iran off guard and prevented Iran from mobilizing the full missile force initially planned. Israeli strikes destroyed critical Iranian missile infrastructure and leadership, vastly reducing the scope of Iran’s retaliation and narrow the scope of confrontation.