JERUSALEM, 22 December, 2020, (TON): Israel's military chief, Aviv Kochavi, on Monday warned Iran that any attack against Israel will be responded with a forceful attack.

"Lately, we've noticed a rise in Iranian threats against Israel," Kochavi said during a ceremony, referring to fears of Iranian retaliation to the recent death of an Iranian nuclear scientist who was allegedly assassinated by Israel.

Kochavi said that if Iran or Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Lebanese armed group and party, "will take action against the State of Israel, they will find themselves in a very costly endeavor."

"The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) will strike all those involved in activities against Israel or against Israeli targets, whether in part or in full, whether near or far," he warned.

"I say these things simply, clearly and with complete commitment: our retaliatory steps have been prepared and rehearsed. I advise our enemies not to test us," he said.

Iran–Israel proxy war is bound in threats, hostility of Iran's leaders against Israel, and their declared objective to dissolve the Jewish state. Iran sees Israel's actions in Syria as provocative. Israel is opposed to Iran's growing military role on its border. The nuclear dimension of Iran is also rearing its head.