Skip next section German ambassador speaks of a ‘direct attack as never before’
04/14/2024April 14, 2024
German ambassador speaks of a ‘direct attack as never before’
ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, best known for his years as former Chancellor ‘s spokesperson, was the first representative of the German government to respond.
“A direct attack as never before,” Seibert wrote online. “Iranian drones are flying towards Israel and more could yet come.”
Seibert “urgently” asked Germans in Israel to follow instructions from Israel’s Home Front Command and from local authorities for their own safety.
Chancellor , meanwhile, was expected to start a , which might prove his next opportunity to comment.
https://p.dw.com/p/4ejPA
Skip next section Iranian minister warns neighbors not to open airspace to Israeli attacks
04/13/2024April 13, 2024
Iranian minister warns neighbors not to open airspace to Israeli attacks
semi-official Mehr news agency has quoted Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani as saying that Tehran would have a “firm response” for any country that “opens its airspace or territory for attacks on Iran by Israel.”
Iran’s Shiite government has strained ties not just with Israel but also with many of the country’s neighbors with Sunni Muslim leadership.
Officials in Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq have said their countries’ commercial airspace had been closed.
https://p.dw.com/p/4ejP5
Skip next section UK PM Rishi Sunak condemns ‘reckless’ Iranian attack
04/13/2024April 13, 2024
UK PM Rishi Sunak condemns ‘reckless’ Iranian attack
The prime minister issued a statement late on Saturday, saying Britain would “continue to stand up for Israel’s security” along with partners and allies in the region like Jordan and Iraq.
“I condemn in the strongest terms the Iranian regime’s reckless attack on Israel,” said. “Iran has once again demonstrated that it is intent on sowing chaos in its backyard.”
“Alongside our allies, we are urgently working to stabilize the situation and prevent further escalation. Nobody wants more bloodshed,” the statement concluded.
https://p.dw.com/p/4ejOn
Skip next section Netanyahu: ‘The people of Israel are strong’
04/13/2024April 13, 2024
Netanyahu: ‘The people of Israel are strong’
Israeli Prime Minister wrote, “Israel is strong” in a post on X just as the military first confirmed the Iranian drone and missile attack.
“The State of Israel is strong, the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] are strong, the people of Israel are strong,” Netanyahu wrote on X.
“Together we will stand, and with God’s help — together we will overcome all our enemies,” he wrote.
Netanyahu convened a meeting of his War Cabinet at a military base in Tel Aviv early on Sunday, the prime minister’s office said.
https://p.dw.com/p/4ejOo
Skip next section Israeli TV: Roughly 100 projectiles fired, some already downed
04/13/2024April 13, 2024
Israeli TV: Roughly 100 projectiles fired, some already downed
Channel 12 TV in Israel cited a defense official late on Saturday as saying that a total of about 100 Iranian drones and missiles had been launched toward Israel.
Channel 12 reported that some of these had been shot down over either Syria or Jordan.
Israel’s military said its forces and allies were closely monitoring the projectiles and were ready to defend Israel.
“This is a severe and dangerous escalation,” IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a statement also posted on social media, describing the attack as “large-scale” and “direct.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4ejMn
Skip next section Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirm drones, missiles launched
04/13/2024April 13, 2024
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirm drones, missiles launched
Iranian state media quoted the country’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) military unit as saying that both drones and missiles had been launched against specific targets in Israel.
Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, meanwhile, shared a video on X, formerly Twitter, of a speech from earlier in the week at around the time news of the drone attack broke.
In it, he said Israel’s “wicked regime” would be “punished,” following the that killed several IRGC commanders on April 1.
https://p.dw.com/p/4ejMi
Skip next section Israel closes airspace as TV reports missiles also inbound
04/13/2024April 13, 2024
Israel closes airspace as TV reports missiles also inbound
Israeli station Channel 12 TV also reported that Iran had launched cruise missiles with shorter flight times in Israel’s direction.
Israel’s airport authority, meanwhile, announced that it would be closing the country’s commercial airspace at 00:30 local time (2130 UTC/GMT).
Iraq and Jordan have also announced they are closing their airspace following the announcement of Iranian drones headed toward Israel.
https://p.dw.com/p/4ejLo
Skip next section US to ‘stand with Israel’ as Iran attacks — White House
04/13/2024April 13, 2024
US to ‘stand with Israel’ as Iran attacks — White House
The White House has said in a statement that the United States will “stand with people of Israel” in the face of an imminent Iranian drone attack.
“This attack is likely to unfold over a number of hours,” National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said.
“The United States will stand with the people of Israel and support their defense against these threats from Iran,” she said.
US President is being kept informed of the situation and will meet with his security team at the White House, a spokesperson for the National Security Council told reporters.
https://p.dw.com/p/4ejLn
Skip next section Netanyahu says Israel backed by ‘many’ countries, ready for Iranian strike
04/13/2024April 13, 2024
Netanyahu says Israel backed by ‘many’ countries, ready for Iranian strike
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is prepared for an attack from and has international support.
“Our defense systems are deployed, we are prepared for any scenario, both in defense and attack,” he said, pointing to a “direct attack from Iran.”
He added that Israel had the support of the United States and “many” countries.
. Israel did not claim responsibility for the attack but has in the past said it conducts operations against Iran-linked targets in Syria.
https://p.dw.com/p/4ejLh
Skip next section Israeli military says Iranian drones inbound and defenses prepared
04/13/2024April 13, 2024
Israeli military says Iranian drones inbound and defenses prepared
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a televised address late on Saturday that Iran had fired dozens of drones toward Israel.
“Iran launched UAVs from its territory towards the territory of the state of Israel,” he said, adding that the flight time could be several hours.
“The IDF is on high alert and is constantly monitoring the operational situation,” Hagari said.
While he lauded Israel’s aerial defenses as “excellent,” he also urged the public to heed safety warnings and sirens, as none could be 100% effective.
Hagari said the IDF was in close communication with international partners.
https://p.dw.com/p/4ejLe
The post Iran fires on Israel, PM Netanyahu ‘ready for any scenario’ appeared first on Deutsche Welle.
