IDF Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said Iran's plan had 'failed' - as he praised the response from the 'regional alliance' which helped down '99 per cent' of the missiles fired.
Israel has described Iran 's unprecedented 350-missile attack as a 'declaration of war' and confirmed it has approved plans for 'offensive and defensive action'.
At a press conference on Sunday evening, IDF Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said Iran's plan had 'failed' - as he praised the response from the 'regional alliance' which helped down '99 per cent' of the missiles fired. Leaders of the G7 - including UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak - also held talks on Sunday in which they 'unequivocally' condemned Iran's attack on Israel and warned that the risk of an 'uncontrollable regional escalation' must be avoided.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog insisted that Israel did not want a war but suggested his country would retaliate A senior White House official told Axios that Biden told Netanyahu: 'You got a win. Take the win'. And White House national security spokesman John Kirby told NBC: 'We don't seek a war with Iran. We're not looking for escalation here,'
READ MORE - Iran attack: Terrifying map reveals the route strike force of 100 kamikaze drones will take to hit Israel - as Middle East teeters on the brink of full-scale war The five-member cabinet, in which Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz have decision-making powers, was expected to convene again for further discussions after meeting on Sunday.
'Everyone should look at this and ask 'what would we do, had we been attacked in such an aggressive way?' 'Unfortunately it all started on the October 7 when Hamas led an unbelievably brutal massacre against Israeli citizens and the rest is history. We always listen to our partners and our allies, we respect their view.'
READ MORE: Israel attack: Rishi Sunak joins G7 leaders in condemning Iran's bombardment of Israel 'in the strongest terms' after Tehran fired 300 missiles at the country in 'unprecedented attack' that sparked fears of WWIII Advertisement The strike marks the first time a direct military assault has been launched by Tehran on Israel despite decades enmity dating back to the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution.
And according to the New York Times, Mr Biden dissuaded Israel from giving the go-ahead on an immediate retaliation attack against Iran. Seemingly indicating he doesn't support immediate retaliation, he continued: 'Faced with the threat of Iran, we will build a regional coalition and exact the price from Iran, in the way and at the time that suits us,' The Times of Israel reported.
'The president has made it clear: We do not seek a war with Iran. We don't seek a wider war in the region,' Kirby told NBC host Kristen Welker Sunday morning. Smoke billows over the area of an Israeli air strike on the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Kila near the border with Israel on April 14, 2024
The IDF later confirmed the strike on the 'significant weapons manufacturing site' in the Nabi Sheet area. It also came as the latest attempt to reach a ceasefire in the war in Gaza appeared to falter, with Israel accusing Hamas of rejecting a truce proposal. A seven-year-old girl from a Bedouin town near Arad was injured by falling shrapnel at around 2am and is in serious condition 'fighting for her life' at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, The Times of Israel reported.
'The matter can be deemed concluded,' Iran's mission to the United Nations said in a post on social media platform X just a few hours after the start of the operation late Saturday. Head of the Israeli military, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi , attending a meeting at the Israeli Air Force Operations Center in Kirya in Tel Aviv with the commanding officers of the Israeli Air Force, the operations directorate and the intelligence directorateResidents transfer the remains of a rocket booster that reportedly injured a seven-year-old girlItaly's Prime Minister posted on X to condemn the Iranian strike against...
Late on Saturday, the Israeli army said Iran had launched a 'massive swarm of over 200 killer drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles'. The IDF has since said 350 were launched. 'I make an urgent appeal for an end to any action which could fuel a spiral of violence that risks dragging the Middle East into an even greater conflict,' he declared following his traditional Sunday prayer in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican.
'As of 07:30 in the morning, Israel's airspace is reopening and Ben Gurion Airport is returning to operations', the statement said, adding that domestic airports would reopen throughout the day.Rocket trails in the sky above the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem Pictures posted by the IDF show Israeli pilots returning to base after intercepting missiles
Iran has said it had attacked Israel in 'self-defence' following the April 1 strike on its diplomatic mission in Damascus, which was widely blamed on Israel. Crews work on an Israeli Air Force F-15 Eagle in a hangar, said to be following an interception mission of an Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said via state media on Saturday: 'The aerospace unit of the Revolutionary Guards has attacked targets in Israel with dozens of drones and missiles in reaction to the Zionist regime's crimes, including the attack on the consulate section of Iran's embassy in Damascus and martyring our commanders and military advisers in Syria.'
Yemen-based Houthis have also claimed to have shot 'dozens' of rockets towards an IDF base in the north-east of Israel. it is not currently known if the Houthi attacks are linked to Iran's salvo. Victoria Atkins said the 'circle of knowledge' on the conflict in the Middle East has to be 'very, very tight', when asked whether the Cabinet was consulted before RAF planes were deployed to protect Israel.
Ms Atkins said she is 'not in a position to confirm or deny' whether British jets have already shot down Iranian drones.Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: 'Let's be clear, we support the existing Government missions in the Middle East and continue to do so.
Israeli officials said that the United States, Britain, and Jordan also all helped intercept the massive barrage of drones Iran fired at Israel overnight, according to The Times of Israel. 'Bless my sisters and brothers, the people of Israel, for their exceptional show of resilience. Together, the forces of good will overcome the forces of evil.
Advertisement 'We ask the public to adhere to and follow the instructions of the Home Front Command and the official IDF announcements regarding the matter.'US Congressional sources said the amphibious war ship Bataan is leading a US naval task force in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Bataan has two support ships and together they have about 2,500 Marines onboard. The US also has several guided missile destroyers including the Carney in the area.
'The matter can be deemed concluded. However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran's response will be considerably more severe. It is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, from which the U.S. MUST STAY AWAY!' The Iraqi civil aviation authority announced in a statement 'the reopening of the airspace' and resumption of flights to and from airports across the country, saying there were no longer any 'security risks to civilian aircraft'.
Advertisement However, Austrian Airlines said on Sunday it had suspended 'all flights to Tel Aviv in Israel, Arbil in Iraq and Amman in Jordan with immediate effect' due to 'recent developments in the Middle East'. Sources told Reuters they expected Israel would retaliate against army bases and installations where pro-Iranian militia were based after Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards said they launched dozens of drones and missiles against specific targets in Israel.
But Egypt's foreign ministry urged both sides to exercise restraint, saying in a statement: 'Egypt expresses its deep concern about the indicators of Iranian/Israeli escalation and demands the exercise of the utmost restraint 'Alongside our allies, we are urgently working to stabilise the situation and prevent further escalation. No one wants to see more bloodshed.'
'The international community has been united in urging restraint and we regret that yet again Iran has chosen a different, dangerous path. Grant Shapps, the UK's defence minister added: 'I strongly condemn the senseless airborne attack that Iran has launched on Israel. It serves no benefit other than to further undermine regional security.
In a late-night statement on Saturday, the MoD said: 'In response to increased Iranian threats and the growing risk of escalation in the Middle East, the UK Government has been working with partners across the region to encourage de-escalation and prevent further attacks.Tehran had been threatening to attack since an air strike, which it blamed on Israel, last week killed two Iranian generals in Syria.
Former president Donald Trump took to his own social media platform, Truth Social, to say: 'ISRAEL IS UNDER ATTACK! This should never have been allowed to happen – This would NEVER have happened if I were President!Inside Iran, many were seen joyously celebrating as news of the attack broke
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