Israel Defense Forces releases statement amidst Iranian attack
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Iran launched explosive drones and fired ballistic and cruise missiles at Israel late yesterday night in its first direct attack on Israeli territory, a retaliatory strike that raised fears of a wider regional war.
Sirens wailed and heavy thuds and bangs were heard from what local media called aerial interceptions of explosive drones. Authorities said a seven-year-old girl was critically injured.
The attack came amid rising tensions following an attack on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus.
Tehran had vowed retaliation for the strike earlier this month which killed several of its senior military leaders even as the US and its allies made intense diplomatic efforts to try and contain the fallout.
Israel’s military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said most of the Iranian missiles were intercepted outside Israel’s borders.
The Iranian salvo included over 200 drones and missiles, Mr Hagari added, and it caused light damage to one Israeli military facility.
US president Joe Biden condemned Iran’s attack as he reaffirmed America’s “ironclad commitment” to Israel in a call with Benjamin Netanyahu.
1713072277Israel airspace reopens, airport authority saysIsrael reopened its airspace as of 7.30am today, the country’s airports authority said after an overnight attack by hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones.
It said flight schedules from Tel Aviv were expected to be affected and travellers should check flight times.
Namita Singh14 April 2024 06:24
1713071801China ‘deeply concerned’ about escalation after Iran strikes IsraelChina is “deeply concerned” about escalating tensions in the Middle East after Iran launched drones and missiles in a retaliatory strike against Israel, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.
Iran’s strikes marked its first direct attack on Israeli territory, raising the threat of a wider conflict in the region where China has sought to play a role as a mediator and from where it sources a growing proportion of its energy imports.
A panoramic view of Jerusalem’s Old City is pictured at dawn of 14 April 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)“China calls on relevant parties to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid further escalation of tensions,” the spokesperson said in a statement posted on the ministry’s website.
“China calls on the international community, especially influential countries, to play a constructive role in maintaining regional peace and stability,” the spokesperson said. The Chinese foreign ministry’s spokesperson said that this round of tensions was a “spillover from the Gaza conflict,” adding that quelling it as soon as possible was “a top priority”.
Namita Singh14 April 2024 06:16
1713069603Iran undertook a grave action pushing escalation in region, says IsraelIran undertook a “very grave” action that pushes the region toward escalation, said Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari in a televised address.
Namita Singh14 April 2024 05:40
1713069031More than 99 per cent Iranian projectiles intercepted, Israel claimsIran launched more than 300 projectiles at Israel overnight, the Israeli military said.
More than 99 per cent of them were intercepted, it claimed.
Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari providing updates about Iranian attack on Israel (Screengrab/IDF)Namita Singh14 April 2024 05:30
1713066756Biden pledges G7 response, US support for Israel after Iran attacksPresident Joe Biden condemned Iranian attacks on military facilities in Israel, pledged a coordinated G7 diplomatic response and said the United States had helped Israel take down “nearly all” of the attacking drones and missiles.
The US forces and facilities had not been hit, said Mr Biden.
The president said he reiterated the ironclad US support for Israel’s security in a call with prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with whom he has had strained relations over Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza.
US president Joe Biden arrives at the White House in Washington, DC, on 13 April 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)“I told him that Israel demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks, sending a clear message to its foes that they cannot effectively threaten the security of Israel,” Mr Biden said in a statement released by the White House.
“Tomorrow, I will convene my fellow G7 leaders to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack,” he said.
Mr Biden said he had directed the US military to move aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the region over the course of the past week.
“Thanks to these deployments and the extraordinary skill of our servicemembers, we helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles,” he said.
Namita Singh14 April 2024 04:52
1713065684China calls for calm and restraintChina is deeply concerned about the current escalation of the situation, the country’s foreign ministry said about Iran’s strike on Israel.
It called on all relevant parties to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid further escalation.
Namita Singh14 April 2024 04:34
1713065289India calls for de-escalation as Iran attacks IsraelThe Indian government issued a statement about “the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran which threatens the peace and security in the region”.
“We call for immediate de-escalation, exercise of restraint, stepping back from violence and return to the path of diplomacy,” said the ministry of external affairs.
Namita Singh14 April 2024 04:28
1713064624RAF jets deployed to shoot down Iranian drones heading to IsraelRAF jets have been used to shoot down Iranian drones after Tehran announced it had launched an attack on Israel.
Aircraft in Iraq and Syria have been deployed to intercept “any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions,” the Ministry of Defense said.
Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said most of the drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles had been shot down outside the country’s borders with warplanes intercepting more than 10 cruise missiles.
He said a few missiles had reached Israel with a seven-year-old girl critically injured in the south of the country and light damage to an army base.
Report:
Namita Singh14 April 2024 04:17
1713064499Biden condemns Iran’s attacks on Israel, plans G7 coordinationUS president Joe Biden condemned Iran’s attacks against Israel and said he had spoken with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reaffirm America’s “ironclad commitment” to the security of Israel.
“Tomorrow, I will convene my fellow G7 leaders to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack,” Mr Biden said in a statement, referring to the group of seven major develped economies.
US president Joe Biden arrives at the White House in Washington, DC, on 13 April 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)Namita Singh14 April 2024 04:14
1713064295Breaking: US says military shot down dozens of Iranian missiles bound for IsraelAs well as knocking down drones, the US military shot down dozens of Iranian missiles bound for Israel in keeping with its pledge to defend its Middle East ally, three US official said.
Two of the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said some of the missiles were shot down by the US Navy.
The US military rushed to help as Iran launched explosive drones and missiles in its first direct attack on Israeli territory, a retaliatory strike for the suspected Israeli attack on an Iranian consulate in Syria that raised the threat of a wider regional conflict.
This video grab from AFPTV taken on 14 April 2024 shows explosions lighting up the sky in Hebron, Palestinian Territories, during an Iranian attack on Israel (AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images)Namita Singh14 April 2024 04:11
