International calls for de-escalation after Iranian attack on Israel

Leaders from around the world have called for help. Sunday à restraint after the massive and unprecedented attack carried out in the night by Iran against Israel with hundreds of drones and missiles, which raises fears of a regional conflagration.

Israel remained on alert, claiming to have “foiled” this operation. This is the first direct attack ever carried out by Iran against Israeli territory, launched in response to a strike against the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1, attributed to Israel.

The United States wants neither an “escalation” nor an “extended war with Iran”, warned a White House spokesperson, John Kirby, on Sunday. US President Joe Biden previously renewed his “unwavering” support for Israel.

This attack came more than six months after the start of the offensive led by Israel in the Gaza Strip against Palestinian Hamas, an ally of Iran, which further increased tensions between the two enemy countries.

The head of the Iranian armed forces, Mohammad Bagheri, praised an attack which “achieved all its objectives”. President Ebrahim Raïssi declared that the “punishment of the aggressor has been carried out”, warning Israel that any “reckless” response would result in a much “stronger” military response.

Banner showing missiles and drones flying near a torn Israeli flag, in Tehran on April 14, 2024 © AFP – ATTA KENARE

“The campaign is not yet over, we must remain on alert,” said Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. “Together with the United States and other partners, we have succeeded in defending the territory of the State of Israel,” he added.

– 99% of shots intercepted –

“We intercepted 99% of the fire towards Israel,” Israeli army spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said on Sunday. Israel announced the reopening of its airspace on Sunday morning, as did Jordan and Lebanon, Israel's neighbors, and Iraq, which borders Iran.

At the request of Israel, the UN Security Council will meet urgently on Sunday. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned “a serious escalation”, like many countries such as France and Germany.

The G7, meeting on Sunday, “unanimously” condemned the Iranian attack, called on “all parties” to “restraint” and affirmed its “full support” for Israel.

In parallel with this attack, Tehran's allies, the Lebanese Hezbollah and the Yemeni Houthi rebels, fired rockets and drones towards Israeli territory.

A strike Israeli forces targeted a Hezbollah site in eastern Lebanon on Sunday, according to a source from the pro-Iranian party and the Israeli army.

© AFPTV – –

Israel has been the sworn enemy of the Islamic Republic since the Iranian revolution of 1979, which calls for its destruction. But until now, Tehran had refrained from attacking Israel head-on and the two countries were used to confronting each other through third parties, such as Hezbollah.

The Iranian attack, dubbed “Honest Promise”, is a response to the strike which destroyed the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1 and cost the lives of seven members of the Revolutionary Guards. Iran accused Israel, which neither confirmed nor denied.

Shortly before 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning (11:00 p.m. GMT Saturday), a series of detonations froze Jerusalem, whose sky was dotted with red and yellow lights.

< p>According to the Israeli army, Iran “launched a swarm of 300 killer drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles”. Only a few ballistic missiles “entered and lightly hit” a military base, which remains active, said Admiral Hagari, reporting several minor injuries as well as a 7-year-old girl placed in intensive care.< /p>

The Iranian agency IRNA reported “serious damage in the most important air base in the Negev”, in southern Israel.

– “Defuse the situation” –

In the process, Tehran called on the United States to stay away from the conflict. “This is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, from which the United States MUST STAY AWAY!,” the Iranian mission to the UN said on X.

Israeli helicopters above the Negev desert, southern Israel, April 14, 2024 © AFP – AHMAD GHARABLI

Tehran has “in all conscience” brought the Middle East “to the brink of the precipice”, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock accused on Sunday.

< p>Egypt warned of a “risk of regional expansion of the conflict”, Saudi Arabia called for “utmost restraint” and Iraq “not to expand the conflict”.

Outside the Arab world, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called for “calm” in order to “defuse” the situation. Russia also called for “restraint.”

France has recommended that its nationals temporarily leave Iran. Pope Francis launched an “urgent appeal” against “a spiral of violence”.

Unprecedented Iranian attack on Israel © AFP – Anibal MAIZ CACERES, Jonathan WALTER

Faced with Western condemnations, Iran summoned the ambassadors of the United Kingdom, France and Germany.

Several analysts deemed a response from Israel almost inevitable on Sunday. Even if it is not in the country's interest to open a new front against Iran in the midst of a war against Hamas, according to Meir Litvak, director of the Center for Iranian Studies at Tel Aviv University .

Before retaliating, “it is not only a question of consulting, but of obtaining approval from Washington,” assured Tamir Hayman, former head of intelligence Israeli military.

Protesters wave Iranian and Palestinian flags in Palestine Square in Tehran on April 14, 2024, after Iran launched a drone and missile attack on Israel © AFP – ATTA KENARE

– “No humanitarian agreement” in Gaza –

Meanwhile the war continues in the Gaza Strip, where the Ministry of Hamas Health on Sunday recorded 43 deaths in 24 hours, bringing to 33,729 the number of deaths, mostly civilians, in Israeli military operations.

< IMG Alt = "White House" SRC = "https://img-4.linternaute.com/hmw8sqo4w1lpmwwwqse-fra PG " /> A photo provided by the White House on April 13, 2024, shows U.S. President Joe Biden (C) during a meeting with his national security team in Washington, after Iran launched a drone and missile attack on Israel © WHITE HOUSE – –

The war was triggered by an unprecedented attack carried out on October 7 in southern Israel by Hamas commandos infiltrated from Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to a report established by the AFP based on official Israeli data. More than 250 people have been kidnapped and 129 remain held in Gaza, including 34 who have died, according to Israeli officials.

A crowd of displaced Palestinians return on foot to Gaza City, on the Rashid Road along the coast of the Gaza Strip, April 14, 2024 © AFP – –

Hamas, in power in Gaza since 2007, is classified as a terrorist group by Israel, the United States and the European Union.

Sunday , the Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service, issued a statement asserting that Hamas had “rejected the broad outlines” of the plan negotiated for a truce by Qatar, Egypt and the United States.< /p>

The rejection of this proposal shows that Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinouar, “does not want a humanitarian agreement, nor the return of the hostages,” Mossad said.

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