Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war, the government of Israel has affirmed that it will retaliate against any foreign country which attacks it, especially those in support of Hamas. One of them is the Islamic Republic of Iran. Iran is a key patron of the Palestinian militant organization Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2006. It provides Hamas with funds, weapons, and training. According to a 2020 report by the US State Department, Iran provides about $100 million annually to Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas. As of 2023, according to an Israeli Security source, Iran had significantly increased its funding for Hamas to $350 million a year.
So, on April 1st, 2024, the government of Israel ordered a bombing on Iranian consulate annex building adjacent to the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria. It killed 16 people, including a senior Quds Force commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, and seven other IRGC officers. Two civilians also lost their lives in the attack. Coming at a period where the tension between Iran and Israel is heightened, Iran vowed to retaliate because the attack on the consulate was a red line that shouldn’t be crossed and a violation of international laws.
Details of Iranian missiles and drones fired at Israel.
And the attack came two weeks after. On April 13, 2024, Israel Defence Forces via their official X handle (@IDF) sent a post at 9:18 PM West African Time (WAT; GMT+1), “Iran launched UAVs from within its territory towards Israel a short while ago. The IDF is on high alert and is constantly monitoring the operational situation. The IDF Aerial Defence Array is on high alert, along with IAF fighter jets and Israeli Navy vessels that are on a defence mission in Israeli air and naval space. The IDF is monitoring all targets.” At nearly midnight WAT, both the Israel Defence Forces and the official X account of the state of Israel posted, “Sirens sounding across Israel.”
Several Israeli cities were targeted and put on the alert, some of which are Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The Israeli government also posted videos of interceptions above Jerusalem, specifically over the Temple Mount. However, the IDF mentioned that 99% of the 300+ projectiles fired at Israel were intercepted by Israeli air defence systems and by allies such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Jordan, France and even Saudi Arabia. Out of the 331 missiles and drones launched at Israel, all 185 Kamikaze Drones were shot down, 103 of 110 ballistic missiles were shot down, all 36 cruise missiles were intercepted and seven ballistic missile impacts were recorded on Israeli territory. But the IDF says that minimal damage was done.
Warnings for US and Israel by Iran; Israel vows to respond.
After the attack, Iran via the official Twitter account of the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations (@Iran_UN) posted, “Conducted on the strength of Article 51 of the UN Charter pertaining to legitimate defence, Iran’s military action was in response to the Zionist regime’s aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus. 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!”
Also, Iran has warned Israel of a larger attack on its territory should the Israeli military retaliate against Iran’s overnight drone and missile attacks. According to Al Jazeera, “If the Zionist regime [Israel] or its supporters demonstrate reckless behaviour, they will receive a decisive and much stronger response,” Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi said in a statement on April 14, 2024, hours after the attack. Similarly, Iranian military chief, Major-General Mohammad Bagheri, has also issued a warning via State TV that a “much larger” response awaits Israel “if it retaliates against Iran”. Bagheri said the Iranian attack on Israel “has achieved all its goals, and in our view the operation has ended, and we do not intend to continue”.
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Despite media reports that the United States has reiterated that it will not be drawn into a regional war, Israel has vowed to respond to the attacks by Iran. In a Twitter post, Israel posted, “It’s been a long night/morning but one thing is clear. We are strong, resilient and we will never give in to terror. Those who harm the people of Israel will pay the price.” However, the government stressed that their fight “is with the Islamic Republic, not with the People of Iran.” With echoes of “Am Yisrael Chai” (Hebrew for “Long live the people of Israel”) by Israeli accounts and media, the response to the Iranian attacks is anticipated, even though many have condemned the consulate bombing as well as the planned retaliation.