As of: October 2nd, 2024 4:35 a.m
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu does not want to leave the renewed Iranian missile attack unanswered. The USA and European countries assured the country of support. At the same time, fears of an all-out war are growing.
The renewed Iranian attack on Israel has met with sharp criticism in Europe and the USA. US President Biden declared the attack a failure and once again assured Israel of full US support. “The attack appears to have been foiled and was ineffective, and that is a testament to the military capabilities of Israel and the US Army,” Biden said in Washington.
Discussions are currently underway with Israel about a possible response to the attacks, Biden said. What this might look like is “being actively discussed at the moment. That remains to be seen.”
His national security advisor Jake Sullivan and US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller had previously announced “consequences” for Iran.
The federal government also condemned the rocket attacks on Israel “in the strongest possible terms.” Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on the online service X that Iran must “immediately stop” the attack. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell made a similar statement. On X he also called for an “immediate ceasefire throughout the region.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer assured Israel of his support in a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
France increases military presence
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he would increase France’s military presence in the Middle East as a sign of support for Israel. Macron again called on Hezbollah to stop its terrorist actions against Israel and its people. Macron also reiterated the need to restore Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in strict compliance with UN Security Council resolutions.
UN Security Council meets
The UN Security Council announced an emergency meeting on the situation in the Middle East on Wednesday. The Swiss Presidency said the meeting was scheduled for 10 a.m. New York time (4 p.m. CEST). UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had previously complained about the “expansion of the Middle East conflict with one escalation after another.” This has to stop. “We absolutely need a ceasefire.”
Israel announces further attacks
But it doesn’t look like a ceasefire at the moment. Israel announced further attacks in the Middle East. “Iran made a big mistake tonight and it will pay for it,” said Prime Minister Netanyahu. According to army spokesman Daniel Hagari, the Israeli Air Force remains “fully operational” and will “continue to strike in full force in the Middle East this evening, just as it did last year.”
The Iranian missile attacks would have no impact on the operational capability of the air force. The Israeli and US defense systems worked effectively, he said. There was close cooperation in tracking and interception. Two high-ranking Hezbollah commanders were eliminated on Tuesday. “These two hits are a serious blow to the morale of the organization.” Israel will continue to pursue Hezbollah commanders and anyone who threatens the citizens of the State of Israel.
Hagari stressed that Iran had committed “a serious act” that was driving the Middle East towards escalation. “We will act at the time and place we determine, in accordance with the instructions of the political level. These events will have consequences.”
Apparently 180 missiles were fired from Iran
Iran attacked Israel with numerous missiles on Tuesday evening. Air alerts had been sounded across the country. The army told people to get to safety. Israeli airspace was temporarily closed. The Israeli army said a total of around 180 rockets were fired from Iran toward Israel. Most were intercepted by Israel and a US-led defense coalition. There was one fatality in the West Bank from falling rocket debris and two injured in Tel Aviv.
The army gave the all-clear late in the evening. People were able to leave the shelters again.
Israel shells Hezbollah targets in Lebanon
Shortly after the attack from Iran, the Israeli army said it continued shelling Hezbollah positions on the outskirts of the Lebanese capital Beirut. The Israeli military said “Hezbollah terrorist targets” were being attacked in the Lebanese capital.
Lebanese security sources said that the Israeli army carried out two attacks in the south of the capital Beirut. The news agencies AFP and Reuters reported explosions in the area. The Israeli army had recently called on the population to “immediately” leave two buildings in a southern suburb of Beirut for their own safety and to avoid the entire surrounding area within 500 meters.
Iran threatens Israel
Iran threatened Israel with new violence if the Israeli army responded to the rocket attack with retaliation. “In this case, our response will be stronger and more forceful,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on Platform X. “Our action is complete unless the Israeli regime decides to call for further retaliation.”
Iran “exercised enormous restraint for almost two months to create space for a ceasefire in Gaza.” Israel’s supporters now have a greater responsibility “to rein in the warmongers in Tel Aviv instead of participating in their madness.”
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Friday. Iran then threatened to retaliate. Tehran had already threatened retaliation for the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniya at the end of July, which was attributed to Israel. In April, Iran fired more than 300 rockets and drones at Israel directly from its territory for the first time. Several allies helped Israel repel the attack at the time.
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