The Iran-Israel Conflict Escalates: A Direct Attack on Israeli Territory
In a significant escalation of tensions, Iran launched a swarm of explosive drones and fired missiles at Israel late on Saturday, marking its first-ever direct attack on Israeli territory. This attack has the potential to ignite a major conflict in the region, as the United States pledges its unwavering support for Israel.
The attack was accompanied by the wailing of sirens, and Reuters journalists in Israel reported hearing distant heavy thuds and bangs, which were likely the result of aerial interceptions of explosive drones. Tragically, a 7-year-old girl was critically injured in the attack.
The Iranian Attack: Ground-to-Ground Missiles and Cruise Missiles
According to Israel’s military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, Iran launched dozens of ground-to-ground missiles at Israel, most of which were intercepted outside Israeli borders. The attack included more than 10 cruise missiles, amounting to a total of over 200 drones and missiles. Fortunately, the attack only caused light damage to one Israeli military facility.
Initially, the Israeli military advised residents to prepare to take shelter, but later revised their alert, indicating that the threat had subsided. However, Israeli officials have stated that there will be a significant response to the attack.
The Backstory: Retaliation and Rising Tensions
Iran had vowed retaliation for what it claimed was an Israeli strike on its Damascus consulate on April 1, which resulted in the deaths of seven guard officers, including two senior commanders. The Iranian attack is seen as a punishment for these “Israeli crimes.” Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the consulate attack.
In response to the Iranian attack, the Iranian mission to the United Nations issued a warning to the United States, stating that if Israel makes another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe. However, the mission also declared that Iran now considers the matter concluded.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep alarm about the potential for a devastating region-wide escalation and condemned Iran’s attack. The UN Security Council plans to hold a meeting to discuss the situation and consider condemning Iran’s attack, as well as designating the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.
US President Joe Biden, who had previously warned Iran against an attack, cut short a weekend visit to his home state and returned to Washington. He met with his national security advisers, including the Secretaries of Defense and State, in the White House Situation Room. President Biden reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to Israel’s security, stating that their support against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad.
The Broader Context: The Gaza War and Regional Tensions
The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, now in its seventh month, has heightened tensions in the region. The conflict has spread to other fronts, including Lebanon and Syria, with long-range fire targeting Israeli targets from as far away as Yemen and Iraq.
According to reports, drones were also launched against Israel by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group. These clashes have the potential to escalate into a direct conflict between Iran and its regional allies against Israel and its main supporter, the United States.
Egypt, a regional power, has called for utmost restraint in the situation. While Israel and Iran have been bitter foes for decades, most of their conflicts have unfolded through proxy forces or by targeting each other’s forces operating in third countries.
Reports suggest that US and British warplanes were involved in shooting down some drones headed for Israel over the Iraq-Syria border area. The escalation prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convene the war cabinet at a military headquarters in Tel Aviv.
Israel and Lebanon closed their airspace, and Jordan readied its air defenses to intercept any drones or missiles that violated its territory. Syria, an ally of Iran, also placed its ground-to-air defense systems on high alert around the capital and major bases.
Internationally, the European Union, Britain, France, Mexico, Czechia, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands all condemned Iran’s attack.
The attack on Israeli territory comes after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that Israel must be punished for the operation on its consulate in Damascus. The Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah, Iran’s main ally in the region, also fired rockets at an Israeli base in response to the attack.
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