Israel’s military chief, Herzi Halevi, confirmed that Israel would respond to Iran’s missile and drone assault from over the weekend.
This statement followed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s assembly of his war cabinet, marking the second such gathering in less than 24 hours, to deliberate on a response to what is reported as Iran’s first direct attack on Israel.
Halevi emphasized at Nevatim Airbase, which was damaged in the attack, “This launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles, and drones into Israeli territory will be met with a response.”
The attack by Iran, which involved over 300 missiles and drones, was a retaliatory act for a suspected Israeli airstrike on an Iranian facility in Damascus on April 1.
This escalation has intensified fears of open conflict between the two nations and has broader implications for regional stability, especially given ongoing conflicts involving Israel and Iran-aligned groups across Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq.
In light of these developments, global leaders have urged caution. U.S. President Joe Biden has communicated to Netanyahu that the U.S. will not participate in any counter-offensive against Iran.
Similarly, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, and leaders from France, Germany, and the UK have called for restraint to avoid further escalation.
The White House spokesperson, John Kirby, also expressed a desire to avoid war, stating, “We don’t want to see a war with Iran. We don’t want to see a regional conflict,” but noted that the decision on how to respond rests with Israel.
In response to Iran’s actions, several European countries have summoned Iranian ambassadors to discuss the situation.
Russia, while allied with Iran, has voiced concerns about the potential for escalation and called for restraint.
Meanwhile, the attack prompted Iran to justify its actions as self-defense, with the Iranian Foreign Minister stating that the strikes were limited and regional neighbors had been informed in advance.
Amid these tensions, the impact of the attack on Israel was relatively contained, with the Iron Dome defense system intercepting most projectiles.
In Gaza, where conflict has escalated since October 7 following an attack by Hamas, the situation remains dire with significant casualties reported.
Internationally, discussions are ongoing about how to address Iran’s actions, with the G7 considering new sanctions targeting individuals rather than nations, as suggested by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
Moreover, the geopolitical ramifications continue to unfold, affecting even civilian air travel, with several airlines altering their flight paths around the conflict zones.
Overall, the incident marks a severe uptick in hostilities, highlighting the delicate balance of power in the Middle East and the international community’s efforts to mediate and prevent a wider regional conflict.