This could particularly affect the enrichment facility in Natans, the central part of Iran’s nuclear program, according to the “NYT” report, which cites information from US officials. The US news portal Axios, citing Israeli officials, wrote that a “significant retaliatory strike” against oil production facilities in Iran could be launched in the next few days.
“We will decide when to exact the price and demonstrate our precise and surprise attack capabilities,” Israel’s army chief Herzi Halevi said. On Wednesday morning, the Israeli army initially reported new attacks on targets of the pro-Iranian Shiite militia Hezbollah in Lebanon. According to media reports, several southern suburbs of the capital Beirut were shelled.
Reuters/Amir Cohen
Hezbollah reported that it had confronted Israeli soldiers who wanted to enter the southern Lebanese town of Udaissa. She also attacked Israel with rockets that morning.
USA: Attack “thwarted and ineffective”
Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said there would be more attacks. The Iranian missile attacks had no impact on the operational capability of the air force. Netanyahu described the Iranian attack as a failure. The USA is similar: the rocket attack on Israel was “thwarted and ineffective”, but it was still a “significant escalation”, said US security advisor Jake Sullivan.
Most of the missiles were intercepted by Israel and a US-led defense coalition. According to its own statements, the USA uses warships to defend itself against missiles. US President Joe Biden had ordered the US military to support Israel and shoot down Iranian missiles.
Millions sought protection
Across Israel, millions of people sought protection in bunkers and shelters. Nevertheless, there was one fatality in the West Bank and two injured in Tel Aviv. According to Hagari, there were a small number of impacts in central and southern Israel.
Videos shared footage of suspected damage after rocket parts fell. The Israeli army, for example, released a video showing a damaged school building in central Israel that was said to have been hit in the attack.
Reuters/Ronen Zvulun
France mobilized military resources
Biden had ordered US forces in the region to support Israel’s defense and shoot down Iranian missiles. France also announced that it had mobilized military resources in the Middle East. The British military is also taking part in attempts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East, the British Ministry of Defense said. The EU condemned the attack on Israel.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appealed to the parties to the conflict in the Middle East after the Iranian attack on Israel. “I condemn the expansion of the Middle East conflict, which continues to escalate. This has to stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire,” Guterres said on Platform X.
Warnings of regional escalation
Many Middle East experts see Israel’s next steps as crucial. The Iranian attack gives Israel reason to strike back directly on Iranian territory, Mohanad Hage Ali of the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut told the Wall Street Journal (“WSJ”). That could trigger a regional war. Accordingly, Biden urges us to carefully consider a reaction. There is an ongoing discussion about this, and the USA is in constant contact with the Israeli government and the USA’s partners.
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Middle East: How to prevent further escalation?
Israel: Special forces have been active for months
A further level of escalation was reached on Tuesday night when Israeli ground troops entered Lebanon again for the first time in almost two decades. On Wednesday, the Israeli army said regular infantry and armored units were also taking part in the ground operation in Lebanon, reinforcing commando and paratrooper units.
Special forces have been carrying out ground attacks against Hezbollah targets across the border for months. They discovered tunnels and weapons caches under houses. The addition of infantry and armored troops from the 36th Division, including the Golani Brigade, the 188th Armored Brigade and the 6th Infantry Brigade, suggests the operation is moving beyond limited commando attacks. However, Israel emphasized that the ground operation would remain limited.
Hezbollah reported direct fighting with Israeli ground troops for the first time on Wednesday morning. They tried to enter the Lebanese town of Udaissa, which the Shiite militia said they prevented. There were victims on the Israeli side. The Israeli military did not comment on the ground fighting.
Iran: Missile attacks “courageous act”
Just a few days ago, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in the attacks on Lebanon. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard said the rocket attacks on Israel were in retaliation for this.
The action will end unless Israel launches a retaliatory strike: “In that case, our response will be stronger and more forceful,” warned Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi. The Iranian action was an act of self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter. On Wednesday, Arakchi called on the US not to intervene in the conflict. Iran is not seeking escalation, but is also not afraid of war.
The rocket attacks were hailed as a “courageous act” on Iranian state television. According to Iranian sources, hypersonic missiles were used for the first time. With the Fatah-1 rocket, the Revolutionary Guard Air Force managed to overcome Israeli air defenses, state radio reported.
