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Iran Launches Massive Aerial Assault on Israel, Escalating Regional Tensions

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Iron dome anti-missile system fires interception missiles as rockets fired from Lebanon, as it seen over the Hula Valley, April 12, 2024. Photo by Ayal Margolin/Flash90

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Iran Launches Massive Aerial Assault on Israel, Escalating Regional Tensions

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a significant escalation of hostilities, Iran executed a large-scale aerial attack on Israel on Saturday night, unleashing over 185 drones, 36 cruise missiles, and 110 surface-to-surface missiles, with the majority originating from Iran, while a smaller portion was launched from Iraq and Yemen.

Israeli military officials reported that the strikes caused only minor damage to one military base, with the majority of airborne threats intercepted before reaching their intended targets, as was reported by The New York Times on Saturday night. The United States confirmed its assistance in shooting down some of the drones and missiles, highlighting the collaborative efforts between the two allies in countering Iranian aggression.

The attack, meticulously aimed at targets both inside Israel and the territories it controls, underscores the strategic depth and capability of Iran’s military apparatus. According to the information provided in the NYT report, the Iran Revolutionary Guards Corps, in a statement broadcast on state television, claimed responsibility for launching “dozens of drones and missiles” from Iran in retaliation for what it termed as “crimes” committed by “the Zionist regime.”

Subsequent social media posts from the Revolutionary Guards threatened further strikes if Iran or its interests were targeted, while also cautioning the United States against involvement in the conflict, the NYT reported.

The retaliatory action comes in response to an Israeli airstrike on an Iranian Embassy building in Damascus on April 1st, which resulted in the deaths of seven Iranian officers, including three high-ranking commanders, as was indicated in the NYT report. Senior Iranian officials and military leaders had previously vowed to retaliate, setting the stage for the subsequent aerial assault on Israeli territory.

Magen David Adom, the Israeli emergency response service, reported that a 10-year-old girl from an Arab Bedouin community in southern Israel was injured during the attacks. The information in the NYT report indicated that the girl sustained head injuries from shrapnel and was promptly transported to the hospital for medical treatment. Additionally, approximately 20 individuals were treated for anxiety or injuries sustained while seeking shelter during the attacks, according to the same statement.

Among the targeted areas was the strategically significant Golan Heights, a region bordering Syria that Israel annexed nearly six decades ago. Hezbollah, the Lebanese terrorist group supported by Iran, claimed responsibility for firing dozens of rockets at an Israeli barracks located in the Golan Heights, as was noted in the NYT report.  However, it remains unclear whether this specific bombardment was part of the broader Iranian attack.

Israel’s military retaliated by launching airstrikes targeting Hezbollah’s elite Radwan forces complex in southern Lebanon. These strikes were conducted in response to Hezbollah’s incursion into Israeli territory with two explosive drones on Saturday, the NYT reported. Additional airstrikes were carried out against Hezbollah structures throughout the night, according to Israeli military sources.

In the aftermath of the attacks, air-raid sirens reverberated across vast swathes of southern Israel, the Judea and Samaria region and the Golan Heights, prompting residents to seek refuge. The report in the NYT said that the Israeli government issued warnings about possible missile threats in the Negev Desert, where several military bases are situated. Furthermore, the airspaces of Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon were temporarily closed in response to the escalating conflict.

The brazen attack prompted swift action from world leaders, with President Joe Biden cutting short his weekend retreat to convene with his national security team and engage in discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the NYT report mentioned. Biden announced plans to convene a meeting of the G7 leaders to formulate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s aggression, emphasizing the need for international cooperation in addressing the crisis.

The United States military reported that it successfully intercepted dozens of drones and missiles launched by Iran, underscoring its commitment to defending Israel and its allies against external threats. As per the information in the NYT report, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, Israel’s chief military spokesman, acknowledged the assistance provided by allies in intercepting the onslaught, highlighting the collective effort to safeguard Israeli territory.

Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III confirmed that U.S. forces intercepted numerous missiles and attack drones launched from Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, though specific details regarding the interceptions were not disclosed.

In response to the escalating conflict, Britain’s Defense Secretary, Grant Shapps, announced on Saturday that British jets were prepared to intercept airborne attacks within the range of existing missions in the Middle East, according to the information contained in the NYT report.  Additionally, Britain deployed additional jets and air refueling tankers to bolster operations in Iraq and Syria, signaling a commitment to enhancing regional security and stability.

France’s Foreign Minister, Stéphane Séjourné, joined in condemning Iran’s attacks on Israel, affirming unwavering support for Israel in the face of aggression. Similarly, the NYT also reported that Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany characterized the attacks as “unjustifiable and highly irresponsible,” pledging Germany’s solidarity with Israel and vowing to discuss the situation with allies.

 The United Nations Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting for Sunday afternoon to address Iran’s attacks on Israel. Israel’s U.N. ambassador, Gilad Erdan, had requested the meeting, highlighting the urgency of the situation and the need for international action to address the escalating conflict, according to the NYT report.

Iran’s foreign ministry characterized the attack on Israel as a “defensive measure,” framing it as a demonstration of Iran’s responsible approach to regional and international peace and security, the report noted.

Against this backdrop of heightened tensions, Israel’s military chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, conducted a situational assessment at military headquarters in Tel Aviv with commanders of the air force, operations, and intelligence directorates, as was detailed in the NYT report. The meeting aimed to discuss the recent events and formulate pDonatebalance of naturelans for the continuation of operations, underscoring Israel’s commitment to ensuring its security and defending against external threats.

The latest escalation in tensions between Iran and Israel raises concerns about the potential for further violence and instability in the region. With Iran demonstrating a willingness to engage in aggressive actions, the prospect of a wider conflict looms large, threatening to engulf neighboring countries and destabilize the delicate balance of power in the Middle East.

As diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation falter, the specter of open warfare remains a troubling reality. The international community, including regional actors and global powers, faces a critical challenge in mitigating the risks of a broader conflagration and preserving peace and security in the Middle East.

 

 

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