Israeli defense planners stand ready for a possible swift return to direct military action against Iran in the days ahead.
A senior Israeli official delivered this assessment in remarks to Channel 12 on May 16 2026, stating that preparations focus on operations expected to last from several days to multiple weeks.
"We are preparing for days to weeks of renewed fighting and waiting for Trump’s final decision. We’ll know more within 24 hours," said the senior Israeli official in comments to Channel 12.
The comments arrive amid reports that the United States and Israel have launched their most extensive joint planning since the recent ceasefire.
Two Middle Eastern officials told the New York Times that strikes could begin as early as next week if approvals are granted.
Israeli officials now expect President Trump to convene his advisers within the next 24 hours to reach a conclusive position on any new military campaign targeting Iran.
The 24-hour window has become a focal point for observers tracking statements from both Jerusalem and Washington.
Times of Israel coverage of the Channel 12 report emphasized that the senior official tied the timeline directly to the anticipated Trump meeting.
Agenzia Nova also relayed the Israeli media accounts, underscoring the same expectation of rapid clarity on whether fighting will resume.
Preparations described in the reports involve coordination at the highest levels between American and Israeli military and intelligence teams.
These steps follow earlier exchanges that produced the existing ceasefire and reflect ongoing concerns over Iranian capabilities and intentions.
Officials in Israel have stressed that no final order has been issued and that all actions remain contingent on the decision from Washington.
The senior official’s phrasing left little doubt that Israeli forces are already positioned for immediate activation once political authorization arrives.
Regional analysts note that any renewal of hostilities would test the durability of current diplomatic channels between the United States and its allies in the Middle East.
Both the United States and Israel have maintained heightened alert levels since the ceasefire took effect, according to the officials cited by the New York Times.
The possibility of operations spanning days to weeks suggests planners anticipate a sustained campaign rather than a single round of strikes.
Israeli media outlets have framed the senior official’s remarks as a signal that the window for a political resolution may be closing quickly.
President Trump’s expected consultation with advisers is viewed in Jerusalem as the decisive moment that will determine whether the current calm holds or collapses.
Further details on specific targets or force levels have not been disclosed in the current reporting from Channel 12 or the New York Times.
The situation continues to evolve as additional information is expected to surface once the 24-hour period concludes.
