By Tiffany Williams –
Air raid sirens sounded across Israel, and explosions were heard over Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank as a result of a major escalation of conflict in the Middle East.
Dozens of drones and missiles were launched by Iran, leading Israeli officials to urge people to seek shelter.
The attack resulted in the launch of over 200 projectiles by Iran, with the vast majority being intercepted or shot down outside of Israel’s borders.
Despite this, there was minor damage to a military base located in southern Israel. Additionally, a 10-year-old child was injured in the attack and is currently in critical condition.
After an airstrike on an Iranian consulate in Syria earlier this month killed seven Iranian military officials, Iran vowed to retaliate against Israel.
This is the first time that Iran has launched an attack on Israel from its own soil, according to Israeli officials. The situation remains tense, with both sides preparing for the possibility of further conflict.
Iran declared that after the attack tonight, the situation can be considered closed if there is no further violence.
On Friday, President Joe Biden was asked how imminent an attack on Israel may be, and said he didn’t want to get into classified information but “my expectation is sooner than later.”
When asked what his message is to Iran? “Don’t,” he replied.
As President Biden attempted to turn and walk away several questions were shouted at him, and he came back to the lectern and said, “We are devoted to the defense of Israel. We will support Israel and help defend Israel and Iran will not succeed.”
Saturday, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant to discuss urgent regional threats and reiterated unwavering U.S. support for Israel’s defense during their talks, and made clear that Israel could count on full U.S. support to defend Israel against any attacks by Iran and its regional proxies.
President Joe Biden on Saturday left Rehoboth to return to the White House to consult with his national security team about events in the Middle East. Traveling with the President was Marc Gustafson, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for the White House Situation Room.
At about 5:02 PM, President Biden arrived back at the White House, and the President went to the Oval Office.
The White did confirm that earlier Saturday, President Biden was briefed on events in the Middle East by National Security Advisor Sullivan and Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Finer.
Saturday evening National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson confirmed Attacks Against Israel. She said, “Iran has begun an airborne attack against Israel. President Biden is being regularly updated on the situation by his national security team and will meet with them this afternoon at the White House. His team is in constant communication with Israeli officials as well as other partners and allies. This attack is likely to unfold over a number of hours. President Biden has been clear: our support for Israel’s security is ironclad. The United States will stand with the people of Israel and support their defense against these threats from Iran.”
In the meeting with the President, on Saturday was Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary Antony Blinken, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Q. Brown, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer, Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall,
Also attending the meeting Saturday with the President was Counselor to the President Steve Ricchetti and National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk.
Saturday night President Biden confirmed, “Earlier today, Iran—and its proxies operating out of Yemen, Syria and Iraq—launched an unprecedented air attack against military facilities in Israel.”
“I condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms,” said the President.
President Biden also said, “At my direction, to support the defense of Israel, the U.S. military moved aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the region over the course of the past week. Thanks to these deployments and the extraordinary skill of our servicemembers, we helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles.”
Talking Saturday with Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Biden said he reaffirmed “America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel.”
President Biden said he told Prime Minister Netanyahu “That Israel demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks – sending a clear message to its foes that they cannot effectively threaten the security of Israel.”
On Sunday, President will meet with G7 leaders, and during that meeting President Biden said they will “Coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack.”
President Biden said his team “Will engage with their counterparts across the region. And we will stay in close touch with Israel’s leaders. And while we have not seen attacks on our forces or facilities today, we will remain vigilant to all threats and will not hesitate to take all necessary action to protect our people.”
In private discussions, President Joe Biden has expressed his concerns that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel is taking steps that could lead to a broader conflict, and that the United States could be drawn into it more deeply, according to three people who have knowledge of the President’s views.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Iran’s Strikes Against Israel said, “At the direction of President Biden, U.S. forces in the Middle East on April 13 intercepted dozens of missiles and UAVs en route to Israel, launched from Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Our forces remain postured to protect U.S. troops and partners in the region, provide further support for Israel’s defense, and enhance regional stability.” Austin added, “We condemn these reckless and unprecedented attacks by Iran and its proxies, and we call on Iran to immediately halt any further attacks, including from its proxy forces, and to deescalate tensions. We do not seek conflict with Iran, but we will not hesitate to act to protect our forces and support the defense of Israel.”
Austin said he is “Grateful for the professionalism and the skill of the brave U.S. troops who took part in today’s actions and who continue to stand guard to prevent further conflict or escalation. I will continue to monitor the situation closely and to consult with our allies and partners.”
Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder Saturday onfirmed, “Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant for a second time today to reiterate ironclad U.S. support for Israel’s defense in light of Iran’s unprecedented attack from Iranian territory.”
Ryder also said, “Secretary Austin and Minister Gallant praised the extraordinary defensive measures and strong cooperation undertaken to defeat this Iranian attack against Israel. Secretary Austin again stated clearly that Israel could count on full U.S. support to defend Israel against any future attacks by Iran and its regional proxies.”
The United Nations secretary-general, António Guterres, condemned the Iranian attacks on Israel tonight in a statement expressing his concern over the serious escalation in the Middle East. He also urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East, and condemned the April 1 attack on Iran’s diplomatic premises in Damascus the day after it occurred.
The United Nations Security Council is set to convene an emergency meeting on Sunday, as per the request of Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., Gilad Erdan. The ambassador has urged the council to condemn Iran’s recent attack on Israel and to designate the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terror organization.
“In light of Iran’s unjustified attack on Israel, the House will move from its previously announced legislative schedule next week to instead consider legislation that supports our ally Israel and holds Iran and its terrorist proxies accountable,” said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise in a statement.
Scalise added, “The House of Representatives stands strongly with Israel, and there must be consequences for this unprovoked attack.”