Israel Decides on Response to Iranian Missile Attack: Report

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Israeli media reported on Tuesday evening that the country’s war cabinet has decided how it will respond to Iran’s unprecedented attack over the weekend with the timing being the only factor that has not yet been determined.

The war cabinet — which consists of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and a former head of Israel’s military, Benny Gantz — is now waiting for “opportunity to be exploited” so that the attack can be launched, according to Israel’s Kann News.

Government officials advised Netanyahu that he needed to attack “sensitive facilities in Iran” in response to the Islamic Republic launching more than 300 missiles and drones at Israel, the report said.

One government official said that the longer the response takes to carry out, the less likely it is to be significant in scale or impact. (Read more from “Israel Decides on Response to Iranian Missile Attack: Report” HERE)

Saudi Arabia Publicly Acknowledges It Helped Defend Israel This Weekend

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Saudi Arabia formally acknowledged that it helped shoot down kamikaze drones heading for Israel. It’s part of the Kingdom’s not-so-secret “cozy” relationship with the Jewish state over the past few years. There are no formal diplomatic ties between these two countries yet.

Still, there’s hope that the Trump-era Abraham Accords, where Morocco, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, and Sudan signed a normalization treaty with Israel, can be built upon and expanded. There should be cautious optimism. These new revelations reveal that the Middle East, by and large, might not want to be thrust into a destructive regional war. However, recognizing Israel’s right to exist might still be a diplomatic work in progress. Arab nations provided Israel and American forces with vital intelligence during Iran’s assault against Israel over the weekend[.] (Read more from “Saudi Arabia Publicly Acknowledges It Helped Defend Israel This Weekend” HERE)

‘The U.S. MUST STAY AWAY!’ Iran Warns America Against Helping Israel

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Iran is threatening a wider attack should Israel respond militarily to its massive drone and missile assault, while also warning the United States against further involvement.

The Islamic Republic fired more than 300 missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles from its territory toward Israel overnight Saturday, in what Tehran says was retaliation for the April 1 killing of several Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officers in Syria by Israel.

“If the Zionist regime (Israel) or its supporters demonstrate reckless behavior, they will receive a decisive and much stronger response,” Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said in a statement on Sunday.

“We used an attack with ballistic and cruise missiles. The operation was designed to attack the air base from which the Israeli planes that attacked the consulate [in Damascus] were launched. There were direct hits in the attack. We only targeted military bases,” said Mohammad Bakri, chief of staff of the Iranian Army.

“We sent a message to the U.S. that if it cooperates with Israel in the next steps, its bases will not be safe,” he added. (Read more from “‘The U.S. MUST STAY AWAY!’ Iran Warns America Against Helping Israel” HERE)

Iran Targeted ‘Major Civilian Areas’; Biden Admin Told Iran Attack Had to Be ‘Within Certain Limits’: Reports

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Iran intended to kill large numbers of people with the unprecedented attack that it launched against Israel over the weekend, according to a new U.S. intelligence assessment.

Reuters reported that the Biden administration communicated to Iran, through the Turkish government, that it’s attack on Israel had to be “within certain limits”.

Senior U.S. officials told Semafor that that the attack — which included hundreds of one-way suicide drones and missiles — was “designed to cause mass casualties and infrastructure damage,” the report said.

Israeli officials said that Iran crossed a major red line with its attack, the first time the Islamic Republic has ever directly attacked Israel, and would pay a steep price for the terror inflicted against the Jewish state.

They said that despite Iran’s claims that it was only targeting military infrastructure, Iran also targeted “major civilian areas” and that a direct military response would be required. (Read more from “Iran Targeted ‘Major Civilian Areas’; Biden Admin Told Iran Attack Had to Be ‘Within Certain Limits’: Reports” HERE)

Ukraine Faces Defeat Against Russia in 2024, Warns Former UK Commander

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Amidst the prolonged conflict between Ukraine and Russia, General Sir Richard Barrons, former commander of the UK’s Joint Forces Command, has issued a stark warning regarding Ukraine’s precarious position. In an interview with the BBC, Barrons expressed concerns over Ukraine’s ability to withstand the Russian onslaught, stating that there is a “serious risk” of Ukraine succumbing to defeat this year.

The Ukrainian forces, vastly outnumbered and outgunned by their Russian counterparts, are grappling with the daunting prospect of conceding to Russian advances. Barrons highlighted the potential for pessimism to permeate Ukrainian society as the conflict drags on, raising questions about the sustainability of their defense efforts.

Reflecting on the failed Ukrainian counteroffensive of the previous year, Barrons noted the strategic setbacks suffered by Ukraine despite concerted efforts to reclaim occupied territories. There are mounting apprehensions that Russia utilized this period to consolidate its position and prepare for further incursions into Ukrainian territory.

Anticipating a significant Russian offensive in the coming months, Barrons cautioned against the possibility of Russian forces breaching Ukrainian defenses and advancing into key strategic areas. He singled out Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city and a symbolic bastion of Ukrainian identity, as a potential target for Russian encroachment, emphasizing the demoralizing impact such a loss would have on the Ukrainian populace.

Barrons painted a grim picture of the ongoing conflict, describing the relentless pounding of Ukrainian positions by Russian forces wielding superior firepower and weaponry. The disparity in artillery, ammunition, and manpower poses a formidable challenge to Ukrainian resistance, compounded by the introduction of technologically enhanced munitions by the Russians.

One such innovation highlighted by Barrons is the retrofitting of Soviet-era “dumb bombs” with guidance systems, enabling precision strikes on Ukrainian targets while minimizing the risk to Russian aircraft. The deployment of these munitions, coupled with Russia’s overwhelming numerical advantage, has placed significant strain on Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

Recent statements from Ukraine’s top military brass corroborate Barrons’ assessment of the deteriorating situation on the Eastern Front. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi acknowledged the escalation of hostilities following Vladimir Putin’s consolidation of power and the onset of warmer weather.

IDF: ‘Significant Strategic Achievement’ as Israel Stopped 99% of Iran’s Missiles, Drones (VIDEO)

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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Sunday that it had scored a “significant strategic achievement” after it prevented 99% of Iran’s drones and missiles from reaching their targets.

As Breitbart News reported, Iran attacked Israel overnight Saturday into Sunday with a swarm of over 300 drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. Israel’s air defense systems intercepted most of them; the U.S., U.K., and Jordan also intercepted Iranian drones. . .

The only Israeli casualty was an Arab Israeli girl — a Bedouin Muslim hit by shrapnel in the Israeli city of Arad.

Analysts on Israel’s Army Radio suggested that Israel had reversed the situation of the past few weeks, when it found itself isolated in the world over the civilian cost of the war against Hamas in Gaza. One described the emergence of a Middle East “NATO,” heralded by Jordan’s effort to help protect Israel from the Iranian attack. (Read more from “IDF: ‘Significant Strategic Achievement’ as Israel Stopped 99% of Iran’s Missiles, Drones (VIDEO)” HERE)

Israel Vows ‘Unprecedented Response’ to Iranian Missile, Drone Attack

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Israel is vowing that they will deliver an “unprecedented response” to the Islamic Republic of Iran after Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday night.

Israel’s multi-layered air defense system — combined with air force assets from some of its top allies, including the U.S. and U.K. — shot down 99% of the suicide drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles that Iran fired.

The Times of Israel highlighted a report from Israel’s Channel 12:

Channel 12 quotes a “senior Israeli official” pledging an ‘unprecedented response’ to Iran’s attack and urging Israelis not to go to bed due to what is coming Tehran’s way.

Israel’s Ynet News reported that Israeli officials said, “The fact that Iran for the first time attacks Israel from its territory requires a decisive response and one will come soon.” (Read more from “Israel Vows ‘Unprecedented Response’ to Iranian Missile, Drone Attack” HERE)

China Imposes Sanctions on Two Major American Defense Companies over U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan

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China has announced sanctions against two major American defense companies in response to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, further escalating tensions between Beijing and Washington.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the U.S. arms sales to Taiwan violated agreements between the two countries and interfered with China’s internal affairs. The ministry emphasized that such actions undermine China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling the sales a violation of the one-China principle and the provisions of past China-U.S. joint communiqués.

Effective from April 11, 2024, China has imposed sanctions on General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems, targeting their senior management and freezing their assets within China. General Dynamics, which operates aviation services in China and manufactures the Abrams tank, faces repercussions for its involvement in the arms sales.

This move by China follows similar sanctions imposed last year on Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon Missiles & Defense after their involvement in shooting down a suspected spy balloon flying over U.S. military installations.

Taiwan remains a contentious issue between the U.S. and China, with the former maintaining unofficial diplomatic ties with the island nation. Despite switching official recognition to Beijing in 1979, the U.S. continues to support Taiwan’s defense against potential Chinese aggression.

In recent years, China has intensified its military activities around Taiwan, heightening tensions in the region. The latest sanctions coincide with a visit by the Japanese prime minister to Washington, during which both the U.S. and Japan reiterated their positions on the Taiwan issue.

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Mao Ning reiterated China’s stance on the Taiwan question, emphasizing that it is a domestic affair and urging the U.S. and Japan to refrain from interference. She called for concrete actions from the U.S. to align with President Biden’s commitment not to support “Taiwan independence.”

Israel Prepares to Eliminate Iran’s Nuclear Facilities if Iran Launches Retaliatory Attack on Israel

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Israel has reportedly indicated that if Iran launches a strike in retaliation for Israel killing a top Iranian general last week, Israel will respond by destroying Iran’s nuclear sites.

The Times of Israel highlighted a report from a London-based Arab news organization this week that cited a “Western security official” who said that Israel has been conducting air force drills in recent days “that include preparing to target Iranian nuclear facilities and other key infrastructure.”

Israel eliminated Mohammed Reza Zahedi, the top commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’s Quds Force in Lebanon and Syria, from the battlefield last week as he met with other Iranian commanders and leaders from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist group.

The Coalition Council of Islamic Revolution Forces, a staunchly pro-IRGC political group, responded to the strike by praising Zahedi’s “strategic role in forming and strengthening the resistance front as well as in planning and executing” Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack against Israel. (Read more from “Israel Prepares to Eliminate Iran’s Nuclear Facilities if Iran Launches Retaliatory Attack on Israel” HERE)

Zelensky Warns USA: Give Ukraine the Money or Russia Wins!

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Kyiv will lose the war against Russia if the U.S. fails to approve military aid to battle Moscow’s invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday.

Tens of billions of dollars in military assistance for Kyiv has been blocked for months in Congress. The package faces resistance from House Republicans.

“It is necessary to specifically tell Congress that if Congress does not help Ukraine, Ukraine will lose the war,” Zelensky said during a video meeting of Kyiv-organised fundraising platform United24, per AFP.

Zelensky said it would be “difficult” for Ukraine to “stay” (survive) without the latest aid on top of an estimated $113 billion already sent to Kyiv at the cost of $900 per American household.

He said that “if Ukraine loses the war, other states will be attacked.” (Read more from “Zelensky Warns USA: Give Ukraine the Money or Russia Wins!” HERE)