Iran launches retaliatory attack on Israel
- Israel says more than 300 drones and missiles launched at it from Iran, Iraq and Yemen, adding that the vast majority of them were intercepted.
- Iran says it carried out the attack in response to an Israeli raid on the Iranian consulate in Syria on April 1 and says the matter can now “be deemed concluded”.
Japan says Iran attack ‘further worsens’ regional situation
Japan is the latest country to issue a statement on Iran’s retaliatory attack.
“This attack is one that further worsens the current Middle East situation,” the Japanese foreign minister’s statement said.
“We are deeply concerned and strongly condemn this sort of escalation.”
Israel says will continue Gaza war ‘with full force’
Mossad has issued a statement via the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office on the Gaza ceasefire negotiations, alleging that Hamas rejected the proposal tabled by the mediators.
“Israel will continue to strive to realize the objectives of the war with Hamas with full force, and leave no stone unturned to return the 133 hostages from Gaza forthwith,” it said.
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Here’s a quick recap of the latest news:
- Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari says 99 percent of 300 projectiles fired at Israel overnight were intercepted.
- In a letter to the UN Security Council, Iran says it was not seeking escalation and was responding to Israeli attacks on its Damascus consulate.
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the US does “not seek escalation” but will “continue to support” Israel’s defence.
- The governments of Brazil and China are among those calling for restraint following the attack.
- The UNSC will hold an emergency meeting at Israel’s request at 4pm New York time (20:00 GMT) on Sunday.
- The attacks came as Hamas said it had earlier delivered its response on ceasefire negotiations to Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
Israel enables West Bank settler attacks: B’Tselem
The Israeli rights group has said Israel “has created” a “reality of blood and revenge” by enabling settler attacks across the occupied West Bank.
“With scenes of homes and vehicles set on fire, and the numbers of casualties rising, the Israeli army enables these attacks or even participates in them,” B’Tselem said in a post on social media.
As we reported earlier, 49 Palestinians were injured in Israeli settler attacks across the occupied West Bank on Friday and Saturday after an Israeli teenager went missing and was later found dead.
Brazil calls for ‘maximum restraint’
Brazil’s Foreign Ministry has issued a statement saying that it follows “with grave preoccupation” news that Iranian drones and missiles were sent to Israel.
It noted that Brazil has been warning the international community, since the beginning of the war on Gaza, that the conflict could spread throughout the region.
“Brazil appeals to all involved parties to exercise maximum restraint and calls on the international community to mobilise efforts to avoid escalation.”
Blinken says US not seeking escalation, will continue supporting Israel
The US secretary of state has also issued a statement condemning the Iranian launches “in the strongest terms”.
Antony Blinken added that the US does “not seek escalation” but will “continue to support” Israel’s defence and defend US personnel.
“I will be consulting with allies and partners in the region and around the world in the hours and days ahead,” he said.
Israeli army says ’99 percent’ of Iran launches intercepted
The Israeli military’s chief spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari has said in a televised briefing:
- More than 300 projectiles were fired at Israeli overnight from Iran, as well as some from Iraq and Yemen
- 99 percent of them were intercepted
- Iran undertook a very grave action that pushes the region towards escalation
- The Israeli armed forces retain full functionality and are discussing options for follow-up operations.
