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High drama before Israel's cabinet meet; ministers get surprise text telling them to arrive at 'secure' location

This comes amid reports that Iran's Khamenei is weighing options to retaliate against Israel airstrikes

Israeli Prime Minister's wife Sara Netanyahu, from left, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog during a ceremony | AP

Drama ensued on Monday morning after Israeli cabinet ministers received a surprise message informing them that the location for the meeting had been shifted from the Prime Minister's Office. Though the officials intended to keep the details of the new location a secret, it was revealed in official notices by the Cabinet Secretariat, which later called it "a mishap."

This comes amid reports that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is reportedly considering options to strike back at Israel, in retaliation to Saturday's air raids. 

The message informed the Cabinet members that the meeting "will take place in the Genari building in the Government Campus" and not in the Prime Minister's Office in Tel Aviv's Kiryat. The meeting would take place  "in a secure, underground complex" and all advisors of ministers were told not to come, reported local media Ynet.   

"There is no parking there. Please do not come armed; you will not be allowed to enter the building. There is no waiting area in the Yeshiva Complex and, therefore, only invitees, who have been approved to participate in the cabinet, will be allowed to enter the building," the message read.

Though no reason was mentioned for the sudden decision to shift the venue, reports claim that the drone attack on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's house, which damaged his windows, has stoked concerns. There were also warnings about attempts to harm ministers and government symbols.

This comes amid reports that Tehran is assessing a variety of scenarios to target Israel, both inside the country and abroad. The options under consideration include the use of ballistic missiles and UAVs, attacks on embassies, activating couriers in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon and targeted assassination of Israeli officials, according to Israeli local media Walla.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has said that Tehran will use all available tools to respond to Israel's attack. Iran has also submitted a formal complaint to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the UN Security Council against Israel for using its airspace while attacking Iran.

Iraqi government spokesman Bassem Al-Awadi wrote in a statement published by state media that Iran has approached the UN against "flagrant violation committed by the Zionist entity by its aggressor aircraft violating Iraq's airspace and sovereignty, and using Iraqi airspace to attack the Islamic Republic of Iran, on October 26."

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