Israel and its allies neutralize Iranian attack
Israel's missile shield, known as the Iron Dome, and the effective collaboration of the United States, the United Kingdom and Jordan, among others, has been key to intercepting 99% of the 300 cruise, ballistic and drone missiles launched by Iran and its related Hizbullah terrorist groups in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. Biden and other Western leaders are calling for restraint from Israel in responding to this thwarted first direct attack by Iran.
- An unprecedented attack
- Effective defence and measured response
- G7 and UN emergency meetings
- The Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain (FCJE) condemns Iran's attack on Israel
- Israel's official statement
Iran last night carried out a historic attack, the first ever directly against Israel. Tehran has made good on its threat and attacked the Hebrew state in response to the killing of seven members of the Revolutionary Guards at the Iranian embassy in Damascus in an Israeli attack. Some 300 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles were launched against Israel which, with the help of the US, UK and Jordan, was able to neutralise 99% of the offensive. Although their attack has claimed at least one victim, a seven-year-old girl in the southern Negev desert, who is critically injured.
An unprecedented attack
Tehran has finally shattered what little stability remained in the Middle East. Its attack, which was aimed at exhausting Israeli defences with drones and taking advantage of the defensive reloading time for the arrival of missiles, has been successfully neutralised. Iran has issued a statement assuring that it has terminated its response, although it warns that it will not stand idly by in the face of a possible Israeli response.
To justify its attack, Iran has invoked Article 51 of the UN Charter, considering that it is being carried out in self-defence following the attack on its embassy in Syria. And they have been quick to assure that they will again exercise their "right to self-defence" in the face of a possible Israeli response: "If the Israeli regime were to commit any military aggression again, Iran's response will surely and decisively be stronger and more resolute", Iran's ambassador and permanent representative to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, has assured in a statement.
Effective defence and measured response
Shortly after the Iranian attack was successfully neutralised, US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a telephone conversation in which Biden showed his support for the Israeli leader. In the call, Biden asked Netanyahu for a proportional response to earlier reports on Israeli Channel 12 TV that Tel Aviv was planning a "significant response". Some, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have called for a "crushing response".
Israel's official statement warns that "the event is not over. We remain prepared and ready for future events and threats. The Home Front Command's guidelines remain in place and restrictions remain in place, according to which no educational activities, including overnight stays and travel, should take place. Should there be any changes to the guidelines, we will inform you immediately, transparently and responsibly, as we did last night; that is how we will continue."
G7 and UN emergency meetings
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says he is "deeply alarmed by the real risk of a devastating escalation in the region". It is precisely for this reason that the UN has called an emergency meeting of the Security Council for this afternoon to address the situation in the region. It will do so at the request of the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, who has assured via his X account (formerly Twitter) that "Iran's attack is a serious threat to global peace and security, and we hope that the Council will use all its resources to take concrete action against Iran".
G7 leaders will also hold an emergency meeting on Sunday via videoconference. Joe Biden said he would convene his "fellow G7 leaders to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran's brazen attack". A request that was quickly answered in the affirmative by the Italian presidency of the G7. Sources consulted by the EFE news agency assure that this meeting called by Giorgia Meloni's government will take place in the early afternoon this Sunday.
The Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain (FCJE) condemns Iran's attack on Israel
The FCJE, which officially represents the Spanish Jewish communities, expresses its absolute condemnation of the drone and missile attack launched last night by the Iranian regime against Israel and its unwavering support for the Israeli population.
This is the first direct and indiscriminate attack from Iranian soil against Israel. Until now, the Iranian regime has sponsored attacks against Israel through Hezbollah militias in Lebanon, Shiite groups in Iraq and Syria, the Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist organizations in Gaza and the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Iran subjects Israel to constant harassment and has on numerous occasions publicly threatened its annihilation.
The governments of democratic and free countries must stand with the defense of Israel. Last night 99% of the fire sent by Iran was neutralized thanks to the collaboration of 3 countries allied with Israel: the United States, the United Kingdom and Jordan.
Israel's official statement
Read the full official statement issued by IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari on the successful defence of Israel's airspace overnight:
"Last night, Iran launched an attack against Israel, launching more than 300 threats of various types. The Iranian threat was met by the IDF's air and technological superiority, along with a strong coalition fighter, which together intercepted the overwhelming majority of the threats. Ninety-nine per cent of the threats launched against Israeli territory were intercepted, a very significant strategic achievement.
Of approximately 170 UAVs launched by Iran, none crossed Israeli territory. Dozens of them were intercepted by Israeli Air Force fighter jets, our Air Defence Ensemble and our partners' air defence systems and aircraft.
Of the more than 30 cruise missiles launched by Iran, none crossed Israeli territory. Twenty-five of them were intercepted by IAF fighter jets outside the country's borders. Of the more than 120 ballistic missiles, only a few crossed Israeli territory and the rest were intercepted. These fell on the Nevatim Air Force base and caused only minor damage to the infrastructure. As you can see, the base is operational and continues to perform its missions. In the picture you can see the runway at the Nevatim base.
Iran had hoped to disable the base and thus damage our air capabilities, but failed. IAF aircraft continue to take off and land from the base and depart for offensive and defensive missions. This includes the 'Adir' fighter jets, which are now returning to base after an air defence mission and you will soon see them landing.
In addition to the launches from Iran, there were several launches from the territories of Iraq and Yemen. None of them crossed into Israeli territory. In the last few hours, dozens of rockets were launched from Lebanese territory towards the north; there were no casualties. Fighter jets attacked Hezbollah targets across Lebanon, including targets in Radwan. All this while additional aircraft continue their defence missions.
For the past six months, we have been operating in close coordination with our partners, led by the US CENTCOM, the UK, France and other countries that operated last night. This partnership has always been strong, but last night it was exceptionally evident. Last night we conducted a complex defensive air battle, with excellent performance by the IAF and the Intelligence Directorate. The battle was conducted under the command of the Chief of Staff of the Israel Air Force Operations Centre.
The interception capabilities of the Air Defence Ensemble and the defensive capabilities of the IAF aircraft demonstrated exceptional professionalism, as well as the military and technological superiority of the IDF. Thanks to all this, Iran's attack was thwarted.
Regrettably, a ten-year-old girl was seriously injured by shrapnel. We wish her a speedy recovery. Apart from her, as far as we know, there are no other casualties.
However, it is important to say that the event is not over. We remain prepared and ready for future events and threats. The guidelines of the Home Front Command remain in place and restrictions remain in place, according to which no educational activities, including overnight stays and travel, should take place. If there are any changes to the guidelines, we will inform you immediately, transparently and responsibly, as we did last night; that is how we will continue.
The exemplary conduct on the home front throughout the night is to be commended and we need to continue to act responsibly, calmly and without panic. We will do our utmost to ensure that the public receives the most relevant information as quickly as possible.
Throughout the night, the IDF conducted an assessment of the situation in response to the events. The Chief of General Staff approved plans for the future, which were presented at the political level. Iran committed a very serious act tonight, pushing the Middle East towards escalation. We are doing and will do everything necessary to protect the safety of civilians in the State of Israel.
In addition to tonight's events, we have not for a moment forgotten the 133 hostages held in Gaza. We will continue to do all we can to bring them home as soon as possible."