‘Iran made big mistake’: Israel vows retaliation for attack at ‘chosen place and time’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Iran’s missile attack on his country had failed and has vowed retaliation.

“Iran made a big mistake tonight, and it will pay for it,” he said at the outset of a political-security meeting. “The regime in Iran does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and our determination to retaliate against our enemies.”

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the country would respond at a time and place of its choosing. “This attack will have consequences. We have plans, and we will operate at the place and time we decide,” he said.

Iran issues threat

Iran on Tuesday launched a massive missile attack on Israel amid Israel’s ground offensive in Lebanon to target the Hezbollah, whose chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut last Friday. The Israeli military said around 180 projectiles were fired by Iran.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed the attack on Israel and said it was in response to the killing of Nasrallah, Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh, and its own senior commander Abbas Nilforoushan.

Also read: Iran rains missiles into Israel; civilians in bomb shelters, says IDF

While the IDF later said there was no more threat from Iran “for now”, the Revolutionary Guards threatened to carry out more “crushing attacks” against Israel if it retaliated.

“If the Zionist regime reacts to Iranian operations, it will face crushing attacks,” it said in a statement, according to Iranian news agency Fars, as reported by AFP. The Revolutionary Guards claimed the attacks were “in accordance with the United Nations Charter” and came “after a period of restraint”.

Help from US

In the White House, US President Joe Biden said the Iranian missile attack on Israel appears to have been defeated and ineffective. While the attack was taking place, Biden ordered the country’s military to “aid Israel’s defence” and shoot down Iranian missiles targeting its ally.

Pentagon press secretary Major General Patrick S Ryder said while most of the missiles were destroyed before reaching their target, some did impact and cause minimal damage.

Two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers — the USS Cole and USS Bulkeley — deployed in the eastern Mediterranean fired a dozen interceptors at the incoming Iranian ballistic missiles as part of its defence of Israel, he added.

However, news agency Reuters reported Iran-backed Iraqi armed groups as saying that US bases in Iraq and the region would be targeted if it joined any response to Iranian strikes on Israel or if Israel used Iraqi airspace against Tehran. Hamas praised the attacks as “heroic” and celebrations were reported in Beirut.

No news of injuries

The Israeli military reportedly said there were no news of injuries from the attack.

“Currently, there are no reports of injuries from the fire towards Israel, except for two light injuries from shrapnel in the Tel Aviv area and some minor injuries nationwide while moving to safe spaces,” a statement from Israeli emergency services said. A local governor in the West Bank said a Palestinian had been killed after being hit by shrapnel from an Iranian missile.

Air traffic was halted at Israel’s Ben Gurion airport and the country closed its airspace and diverted flights. Jordan and Iraq also announced the suspension of air traffic, while Iran suspended flights at Tehran International Airport.

Shooting in Tel Aviv

The news of the missiles being launched came shortly after reports of a suspected “terror” shooting in Israel’s commercial capital Tel Aviv, in which six persons were reportedly killed.

After Iran’s attack, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the “broadening conflict in the Middle East”. “This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire,” Guterres said.

Also read: Ignoring ceasefire calls, Israel begins 'localised, targeted' ground raids in Lebanon

Iran had also launched missiles and drones at Israel on 13 April in retaliation for the Israeli bombing of its embassy in Damascus, in which two Iranian generals were killed. Israeli, American, British, French and Jordanian air forces had shot down the projectiles. The strike had not caused much damage and Iran had said the next day that the attacks could be “deemed concluded”.

Alert from Indian Embassy

Amid the escalating tensions in West Asia (Middle East), the Indian Embassy in Israel has cautioned all Indians to stay vigilant and follow safety protocol as advised by local authorities.

“In view of the prevailing situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to stay vigilant and adhere to safety protocols as advised by the local authorities,” The Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv said in its advisory.

“Please exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel within the country and stay close to safety shelters,” it added.

The Embassy also shared round-the-clock helpline numbers where Indian nationals can call in case of emergency. “The Embassy is closely monitoring the situation and remains in regular touch with Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of all our nationals,” it said, adding, “In case of any emergency, please contact the 24x7 helpline of the Embassy: +972-547520711 and +972-543278392.”

The Embassy also shared an e-mail ID — cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in — for Indian nationals to reach out, urging those “who are yet to register with the Embassy” to please do so immediately. It attached the form along with the message.

(With agency inputs)