Former Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates (center) with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak (right), and Minister for Home Front Defense Matan Vilnai. Photo: wiki commons.

Israel’s outgoing home front defense minister has told the Ma’ariv newspaper that the country is prepared for a 30 day war on numerous fronts, if Israel decides to go ahead with plans to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities.

“The assessments are for a war that will last 30 days on a number of fronts,” Matan Vilnai said, adding “I can say in the most authoritative manner that the home front is ready as never before in the country’s history.”

Vilnai is stepping down and will be replaced by former Shin Bet head Avi Dichter.

An attack on Israel in response to the Jewish state’s operations inside Iranian territory would cause roughly 500 Israeli deaths, according to an estimate given by Vilnai.

“It could be that there will be less fatalities, but it could be there will be more, that is the scenario that we are preparing for according to the best experts.”

The outgoing minister, who will now become Israel’s ambassador to China, did not offer his support for or opposition to an Israeli strike, however he did say that Jerusalem and Washington should be in sync on this issue.

“The only question is if a clash is necessary. War is something that is better to postpone and weigh carefully,” he said.  “I don’t want to be dragged into an argument, but I say that the United States is our greatest friend and we must always coordinate such things with it.”