Israel’s military chief said Monday that the country will respond after Iran launched an attack involving hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. World leaders are urging Israel not to retaliate.
Here is the latest:
Quick Read
- Israel Plans Response to Iranian Attack: Israel’s military chief announced plans for a response following Iran’s unprecedented assault involving drones and missiles. Despite global calls for restraint from leaders like the UK’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Israel is preparing to retaliate.
- Global Leaders Urge Caution: In the wake of Iran’s direct military strike on Israel, international leaders are urging Israel to avoid escalating the conflict further. This strike comes on the heels of a suspected Israeli attack in Syria, escalating long-standing tensions between the two nations.
- Details of the Iranian Attack: The Iranian offensive included a significant deployment of drones and missiles, with Israel’s military successfully intercepting 99% of them. The attack is part of ongoing hostilities linked to Israel’s six-month conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
- Widespread Casualties and Destruction: The conflict, which began with a Hamas attack on October 7, has led to extensive casualties and destruction, particularly in Gaza, where over 33,700 people have reportedly been killed according to local health officials.
- U.S. Stance on Israeli Response: The U.S. has not been involved in Israel’s decision-making regarding a potential retaliation. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby emphasized that the U.S. would let Israel determine its response to the Iranian strikes.
The Associated Press has the story:
Israel’s Military says the country will respond to Iran’s attack
Newslooks- JERUSALEM — (AP)
Israel’s military chief said Monday that the country will respond after Iran launched an attack involving hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. World leaders are urging Israel not to retaliate. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says “all sides must show restraint” to avoid a rising spiral of violence in the Middle East. French President Emmanuel Macron said Paris will try to “convince Israel that we must not respond by escalating.”
The Iranian attack on Saturday marked the first time Iran has launched a direct military assault on Israel, despite decades of enmity dating back to the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. The attack happened less than two weeks after a suspected Israeli strike in Syria that killed two Iranian generals in an Iranian consular building.
An Israeli military spokesman said that 99% of the drones and missiles launched by Iran were intercepted.
Israel and Iran have been on a collision course throughout Israel’s six-month war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. The war erupted after Hamas and Islamic Jihad, two militant groups backed by Iran, carried out a devastating cross-border attack on Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped 250 others.
An Israeli offensive in Gaza has caused widespread devastation and killed over 33,700 people, according to local health officials.
Israel’s military chief says the country will respond to Iran’s missile strike over the weekend.
Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said Monday that Israel is still considering its steps. But he said the Iranian strike of missiles and attack drones “will be met with a response.”
Halevi spoke during a visit to the Nevatim air base, which Israel says suffered light damage in the Iranian attack.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been huddling with top officials to discuss a possible response
U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby declined to say whether the U.S. had been or expects to be briefed on Israeli response plans. “We will let the Israelis speak to that,” he told reporters Monday.
“We are not involved in their decision-making process about a potential response,” Kirby said.
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— Israeli military renews warnings to Palestinians not to return to war-torn northern Gaza.
— Iran and Israel have a history of enmity. What key recent events led to Iran’s assault on Israel?
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