In the wake of the Iranian strikes, Israeli media reported that the government is planning a massive retaliation. TV Channel 12 cited a senior Israeli official as saying that an “unprecedented response” to the attack is in the works. Israel’s culture and sports minister, Miki Zohar, also stated that West Jerusalem “received broad international legitimacy tonight to strike Iran with unprecedented force.”https://www.rt.com/news/595898-iran-hit-destoyed-israel-targets/
In the wake of the Iranian strikes, Israeli media reported that the government is planning a massive retaliation. TV Channel 12 cited a senior Israeli official as saying that an “unprecedented response” to the attack is in the works. Israel’s culture and sports minister, Miki Zohar, also stated that West Jerusalem “received broad international legitimacy tonight to strike Iran with unprecedented force.”https://www.rt.com/news/595898-iran-hit-destoyed-israel-targets/
Iran launches drone and missile attack against Israel: Live updates
Published 11:40 PM GMT+2, April 13, 2024
Iran launched its first direct military attack against Israel on Saturday. The Israeli military says Iran fired more than 100 bomb-carrying drones toward Israel. Hours later, Iran announced it had also launched much more destructive ballistic missiles.
Iran had been threatening to attack Israel after an airstrike earlier this month widely blamed on Israel destroyed Iran’s consulate in Syria, killing 12 people, including two elite Iranian generals.
UN chief calls for an immediate stop to hostilities
Objects flying over the sky were seen from the West Bank, while booms and air raid sirens have sounded in Jerusalem after Iran launched dozens of drones and ballistic missiles toward Israel in an unprecedented revenge mission that pushes the Middle East closer to a regionwide war..
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres is calling for an immediate halt to hostilities in the Middle East.
“I strongly condemn the serious escalation represented by the large-scale attack launched on Israel by the Islamic Republic of Iran this evening,” Guterres wrote in a statement Saturday night.
“I am deeply alarmed about the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation. I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East,” Guterres wrote. “I have repeatedly stressed that neither the region nor the world can afford another war.”
Its 3.00am in Tel Aviv, in the middle of a drone barrage. So far it looks like Israel’s Iron Dome defense is coping. But it remains to be seen if missiles are still to arrive, and if they are aimed at one point or symbolically spread out.
Iran is saying THAT’s IT without plans for more strikes….But Will Israel and the US now attack Iran?
Thank you for joining us for updates on everything related to Israel’s war on Gaza. This live page is now closed.
12m ago (23:55 GMT)
A look at what happened today
We will be closing this live page soon. Here’s a quick recap from today:
Air raid sirens are sounding across Israel as Israel’s air defence system actively intercepts incoming Iranian attacks in the skies above Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Netanyahu has convened Israel’s war cabinet with military spokesperson Daniel Hagari describing the attack as “a severe and dangerous escalation”.
US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson says President Biden is being “regularly updated” and that Iran’s “attack is likely to unfold over a number of hours”.
The drone attacks were reported on Saturday night shortly after Hamas said it had handed its response for a ceasefire proposal in Gaza to mediators in Egypt and Qatar.
8m ago (23:50 GMT)
US commitment to Israel’s security remains ‘ironclad’: Biden
US President Joe Biden has said in a post on X that he has met with his national security team for an update on Iran’s attacks on Israel.
10m ago (23:45 GMT)
Jordanian jets shoot down dozens of Iranian drones flying towards Israel: Report
Reuters, citing two “regional security sources”, reports that Jordanian jets have downed dozens of Iranian drones flying across northern and central Jordan heading to Israel.
The sources said the drones were brought down in the air on the Jordanian side of the Jordan Valley and were heading in the direction of Jerusalem.
Others were intercepted close to the Iraqi-Syrian border. They gave no further details.
4m ago (23:35 GMT)
Israel’s air defence system has not faced attack of this magnitude before
We’ve been looking out from the balcony here across the Jerusalem skyline. And we’ve seen a succession of air defence interceptors going up from various points around the city to meet targets in the sky.
And now the police seem to be going around on the streets in their cars with an announcement going out which is telling people to go to their nearest air raid shelters as quickly as they can.
The military has been telling people that the air defence systems that Israel has – that’s the Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow 2 and 3 – are very capable systems designed to deal with multiple types of threats.
4m ago(23:30 GMT)
Ballistic missile barrage concluded: Report
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz, citing the Israeli military, reports that the ballistic missile barrage launched from Iran has now concluded and that drones and cruise missiles are now expected.
6m ago(23:25 GMT)
RAF jets deployed to intercept any airborne attacks in Middle East: UK MoD
The Ministry of Defence says British Royal Air Force jets in the Middle East “will intercept any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions, as required” after Iran targeted Israel with drones and missiles.
“In response to increased Iranian threats and the growing risk of escalation in the Middle East, the UK Government has been working with partners across the region to encourage de-escalation and prevent further attacks,” it said in a statement.
8m ago (23:21 GMT)
Top US Democrat condemns ‘unprecedented’ attack on Israel
Hakeem Jeffries, the minority leader in the US House of Representatives, has voiced support for Israel.
“Iran, a sworn enemy of the United States, has launched an unprecedented attack against our democratic ally, the State of Israel,” Jeffries said in a statement.
“America’s commitment to Israel’s security is ironclad and unbreakable. Iran will not succeed. We stand with the people of Israel during this moment of significant challenge.”
8m ago (23:20 GMT)
Iran warns Jordan over any moves to support Israel: Report
Iran’s semi-official news agency Fars, quoting a military source, reports that Iran is watching Jordan for any moves in support of Israel during Tehran’s retaliatory attacks, warning the country may become the “next target”.
“A military-informed source said [we] are closely monitoring Jordan’s movements during the punitive attacks … and if they participate in any possible action [to back Israel], they will be the next target,” Fars stated.
4m ago (23:15 GMT)
Iran ‘trying to regain deterrence’: Analyst
Qatar University’s Hassan Barari has told Al Jazeera that Iran’s attack on Israel “is an escalation” but is also “calculated” and “measured”.
Barari said Iran’s mission to the UN’s statement that the attack “concludes” the matter of Israel’s attack on Iran’s Damascus Embassy shows Iran “doesn’t want any further retaliation”.
“What the Iranians are trying to do is to come up with a measured, calculated attack in order to regain deterrence and not to be seen as weak in front of their own proxies,” Barari said.
On how Iran’s attack may affect Israel’s war on Gaza, Barari said that “it all depends on how the Israelis read the situation”.
“I know some right-wing politicians in the government will see this as an opportunity because the world’s attention has shifted onto Iran-Israel and then they can do something probably horrendous in Gaza.”
8m ago (23:05 GMT)
Hezbollah launches ‘dozens’ of rockets at Golan Heights
The Iran-aligned Lebanese group says on its Telegram channel that it targeted the air and missile defence headquarters of the Israeli army in the “Keila barracks” in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights with dozens of Katyusha rockets.
The Israeli military has been carrying out attacks in southeast Lebanon as well in recent hours and there is escalation on the Israel-Lebanon border.
7m ago(23:00 GMT)
Over 100 drones intercepted outside Israeli territory: Report
Israeli army radio reports that over 100 drones were intercepted outside Israeli territory with assistance from the US and UK.
Reuters reported separately that the US military shot down Iranian drone aircraft headed toward Israel, citing three US officials, without disclosing how many drones were shot down or the precise locations.
6m ago (22:52 GMT)
Sirens sound in various locations across Israel
We are getting reports that air raid sirens are active in Israel’s north, south and the occupied West Bank.
Al Jazeera’s Hamdah Salhut is reporting many “active interceptions” of incoming attacks over the skies of Tel Aviv, and Al Jazeera’s cameras have captured a number of flashes in the night sky above the city.
18m ago
(22:40 GMT)
Israeli military instructs residents of high-risk areas to stay close to bomb shelters
The military issued a warning that residents of the occupied Golan Heights, Nevatim, Dimona and Eilat stay “near protective spaces until further notice”.
30m ago (22:30 GMT)
Iran says its attack on Israel ‘concludes’ matter of Israeli attack on its embassy
Iran’s mission to the UN says on X that its drone and missile attack on Israel was conducted “on the strength of Article 51 of the UN Charter pertaining to legitimate defense” and in response to Israel’s April 1 attack on its embassy in Damascus, Syria.
With the attack, “The matter can be deemed concluded,” says Iran.
Houthis launch drones at Israel in coordination with Iran: Security agency
We can now report that Yemen’s Houthi rebels have launched multiple drones at Israel in coordination with Iran, according to security firm Ambrey.
The company added that the projectiles were likely timed to reach Israel simultaneously.
“Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were reportedly launched by the Houthis toward Israel. The UAVs were launched in coordination with Iran,” Ambrey stated.
“Israeli ports are assessed to be potential targets”, it added and warned of “collateral damage” to shipping.
48m ago(22:15 GMT)
Tehran fires ballistic missiles at targets inside Israel: Report
Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, quoting an informed source, reports that a batch of ballistic missiles was launched towards targets in Israel.
US military shot down Iranian drone aircraft headed toward “Israel”: Reuters citing three US officials
14 Apr 02:00
IRGC has begun launching the third batch of ballistic missiles toward “Israel”: Al Mayadeen’s correspondent
14 Apr 01:18
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Yemen: Explosions sounding in Saada province, northern Yemen
14 Apr 00:58
The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon – Hezbollah says it attacked the air and missile defense headquarters in the “Keila” barracks in the occupied Syrian Golan with dozens of Katyusha rockets
14 Apr 00:40
IRNA citing an informed source: The first batch of ballistic missiles has been launched toward occupied Palestinian territories
14 Apr 00:38
ABC News citing an Israeli military source: The first drones will approach “Israel” at 1:00 am local time
14 Apr 00:37
Senior US official to ABC News: There will be anywhere from 400 to 500 drones and missiles launched at “Israel” from Iraq, Syria, southern Lebanon, and Yemen but the bulk will be launched from Iran
14 Apr 00:34
Even if the drones are intercepted, even if casualty numbers are low or zero, Israelis will feel profoundly vulnerable and the Israeli government will feel compelled to retaliate: Sky News
14 Apr 00:31
Direct attack against “Israel” by Iran is unprecedented: Sky News
14 Apr 00:23
Israeli media: Ballistic and cruise missiles will be launched toward “Israel” in the coming minutes
14 Apr 00:14
A simultaneous attack with drones and missile may confuse “Israel’s” airborne defense system: Bloomberg citing a US official
14 Apr 00:12
IRGC: The drone attack was decided upon by the Iranian Supreme National Security Council and under the supervision of the Armed Forces General Staff
14 Apr 00:07
IRGC codenames its retaliatory attack against “Israel” Operation Truthful Promise
The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon targets multiple Israeli sites and positions on Saturday in support of Palestine and in response to Israeli crimes.
Qatar, Kuwait ban use of air bases, airspace for attack on Iran..US Air Force KC-135 Stratotankers sit on the ramp of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, on August 19, 2017. (Photo by US Air National Guard) PressTv.
‘US seeking to withdraw Israeli forces from Gaza after failing to achieve goals’A senior Palestinian resistance leader says the United States is seeking to find a way to withdraw Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, as the occupying regime’s genocidal war on the besieged enclave has entered the seventh month.PressTv.
We have received news that yesterday, Friday 12th April, Christina Cherankova has been released.
As many of you will already know, after have spent more than two years in captivity, Cristina, an anti-fascist from Mozyr, in Belarus was detained on March 22, 2022 for anti-military and anti-police posts on Instagram.
Back in March 22, 2022, a dozen anti-fascists, members of various countercultural musical groups, were searched and detained in Mozyr. Five people ended up serving 24 hours, however criminal cases were filed against Cristina and her friend Anna Pyshnik.
Although her posts did not contain calls for violence, they contained a “negative assessment of police officers”, which dated back as far as November 16, 2022. For that reason but also as a warning to other activists, Christina was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.
We extend our solidarity and welcome her home into the arms of her family and comrades.
The Seine has “alarming” bacteria levels, tests have revealed!
The swimming leg of the Olympic triathlon in Paris could be delayed or canceled if water quality does not improve in the Seine River, which flows through the French capital, according to the organizers of the event.
The river is set to host several Olympic events this summer but has “alarming” bacteria levels, according to a warning issued by international NGO Surfrider Foundation Europe on Monday. The group claimed that out of 14 samples taken at the Alexandre III Bridge over a six-month period, all but one showed poor water quality.
Athletes swim in the Seine river in front of the Eiffel Tower during the Women World Triathlon on August 17, 2023 in Paris, France.
Tony Estanguet, a three-time Olympic canoeing champion and the president of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee, admitted on Tuesday that E. coli is “one of the bigger challenges” facing the organizers, noting that the triathlon could be delayed or the swimming leg canceled if water quality worsens.
“In sport, there’s a risk – there’s always a risk,” The Telegraph quoted Estanguet as saying. He stressed that there is “only one location” and no question of finding a back-up venue.
The main danger comes from heavy rainstorms, when water pours into the Parisian sewage system, causing an overflow risk. Excess rain is then discharged into the river and may lead to pollution. Last summer a sewage leak led to the cancelation of a pre-Olympic swimming event.
Measurements taken between September 2023 and March 2024 showed that levels of two bacteria – E. coli and enterococci – were often two and sometimes three times higher than the maximum European permitted amounts, according to the Surfrider Foundation.
Pollution levels remained high even after Paris invested over €1 billion ($1.1 billion) in a bid to provide safe swimming in the Seine for the first time in a century.
The €1.4 billion plan for the river involved a renovation of infrastructure, including new underground pipes and pumps. Water quality specialists said concentration levels for two bacteria, Enterococcus and E.coli, both used as the primary indicators of fecal material in fresh waters, were low enough to safely swim in the river.
Last month, French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to swim in the Seine in an apparent attempt to prove it is clean, ahead of the Olympic Games set to be hosted in the country’s capital in July and August.
Iranians protest after the killing of General Mohammad Reza Zahedi in a presumed Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. Morteza Nikoubazl / NurPhoto
However, a number of countries in the region where the US has bases or treaty rights have reportedly told Washington it can’t use them to strike Iran. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman and Kuwait have denied the use of their territory and airspace so far, according to the Middle East Eye. There has been no word from Bahrain as of yet.
Washington is “devoted” to West Jerusalem, President Joe Biden has stated
🇮🇷🇮🇱 BREAKING: IRAN SEIZES ISRAELI-OWNED SHIP
The ship detained in the Strait of Hormuz, flying the Portuguese flag, is managed by Zodiac Maritime, a company owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer.
American ships and troops in the Middle East prepared for a likely Iranian attack on Israel on Friday, as President Joe Biden urged Tehran to change its mind.
Iranian leaders have vowed to “punish” Israel for the April 1 airstrike on the consulate in Damascus, Syria that killed seven officers of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, including two of its generals.
“Don’t,” Biden said on Friday, when asked what his message was to Iran.
“We are devoted to the defense of Israel. We will support Israel. We will help to defend Israel, and Iran will not succeed,” he added.
Israel has always tested technologies of death, surveillance, disinformation and repression on Palestinians, exporting them to dictatorships & authoritarian regimes worldwide with pride. #MilitaryEmbargopic.twitter.com/bYr5u24yLV
The Pentagon is moving additional troops and equipment to sites in the Middle East, to “bolster regional deterrence efforts and increase force protection,” an anonymous official said in a background briefing.
The Department of Defense did not specify the number or type of assets deployed, but according to the Wall Street Journal, that two destroyers – at least one armed with the Aegis missile defense system – have been “repositioned” in the area.
Meanwhile, the head of the US Central Command, General Michael Kurilla, has extended his stay in Israel, Axios reported citing Israeli officials. Kurilla arrived on Thursday to “coordinate” a defense from a possible Iranian strike.
Tehran has announced that it had an “imperative to punish” Israel because the UN had done nothing to condemn West Jerusalem’s “reprehensible act of aggression on our diplomatic premises in Damascus” or bring the perpetrators to justice.
Israel has said it would respond to any attack with strikes of its own, with UK tabloids speculating they might target Iranian nuclear facilities. Anonymous US intelligence officials have spread rumors of potential American participation in such attacks.
However, a number of countries in the region where the US has bases or treaty rights have reportedly told Washington it can’t use them to strike Iran. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman and Kuwait have denied the use of their territory and airspace so far, according to the Middle East Eye. There has been no word from Bahrain as of yet.
Ukrainian troops hoping to be demobilized after three years are reportedly dismayed after a provision granting them leave was left out of a newly adopted mobilization bill, multiple Western outlets claimed on Friday.
The Ukrainian parliament has voted against demobilizing the country’s longest-serving conscripts, forcing them to stay on the front indefinitely. The vote came as lawmakers passed a broad mobilization bill imposing new restrictions on draft-resisters, and potentially drafting the handicapped.
The amendment passed by 227 votes to 21, with 97 lawmakers abstaining, according to the Kiev Post. Of course all opposition parties are now banned.
It was first seen in a final version of the bill published on Wednesday, and its inclusion angered service members who had been expecting some reprieve from combat.
“This is a disaster… How could it be possible to promise demobilization to soldiers…only to abandon them at the end?” Ukrainian State Border Guard Service officer Maxim Nesmaynov wrote on Facebook. “You can’t take away hope from soldiers that they will return home. Someone is trying to destroy the country from inside!”
Ukraine has been in a state of martial law since the conflict with Russia broke out in February 2022. Under martial law, Ukrainian conscripts are required to serve until the end of hostilities, with few exceptions.
General Aleksandr Syrsky, the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, insisted to lawmakers that this requirement remain in place, the Kiev Post reported.
“It’s a disaster,” AFP quoted a 46-year-old artilleryman on the Donetsk front, identified only as Alexander.“When a person knows when he is going to be demobilized he will have a different attitude. If he is like a slave then it will not lead to anything good,” he added.
More than 20 percent of women ages 18 to 49 in those states also said they or someone they know struggled to access abortion after Roe’s overturn, a first-of-its-kind KFF survey shows.
The Free 