Israel vowed that it will respond to Iran’s drone and missile attack on Sunday morning, which happened across a period of five hours.
However, the Israeli war cabinet remains divided on the type and timing of the response, with some Israeli channels suggesting an attack of Iran could occur today.
Iran has so far said that it is unconcerned with Israel’s response, but should the occupation cross any additional red lines, it will respond more quickly and aggressively than its Sunday morning attack.
Alongside news of the Israeli retaliation, various reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a delay in the planned ground offensive of Rafah, the last refuge point for Gaza residents, others have suggested that the Israeli military has called up on reservists to conduct more operations in Gaza.
On Monday 15 April, Israeli attacks resumed when Israeli tanks opened fire on hundreds of Palestinians trying to return to the north on the coastal Rashid road, killing several and wounding dozens in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.
Iran Operation Causes International Concerns
On Saturday, Iran responded to Israeli forces’ attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus which killed 16 people by launching a number of drones and missiles on Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
However, the attack did not cause any major casualties, as the type of drones and missiles launched was easily interceptable. Some required several hours of travel time, with most being shot down in mid-air.
While most were intercepted by American and Israeli apparatuses, many managed to hit and target military bases.
What caused wide commotion in the Arab world was that Jordanian forces also helped shoot down some of the Iranian drones.
Israel was quick to call for an “urgent” meeting at the level of the United Nations Security Council, despite Israeli forces violating a number of UN resolutions, killing hundreds of UN staff, and accusing the organization of anti-semitism alongside a number of other condemnations.
On an international level, a number of actors reacted to the Iranian operation. Germany, itself facing a court case instituted by Nicaragua at the International Court of Justice for aiding Israel’s genocide in Gaza, has summoned Iran’s ambassador.
On Sunday, Iran Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said that Iran gave neighboring countries and the US a 72 hours’ notice. While UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak denied Iran’s claims of advance notice, the US did indeed issue warnings regarding travel to Israel before the attacks, suggesting prior knowledge.
Onslaught Continues
As of today, the number of people killed in Gaza has reached at least 33,797 people, including more than 13,800 children, while the number of injuries has surpassed 76,465 people and the number of people missing has surpassed 8,000. In the West Bank, at least 465 people were killed, including more than 118 children.
The number of people killed by Israeli aggression in Lebanon and Syria also continues to increase, with the Lebanese Ministry of Health reporting that 316 people were killed and 909 were wounded as of 19 March since 8 October 2023 as a result of the hostilities.