Iran unleashes attack on Israel with hundreds of drones, missiles
Israel praises successful defense of drone, missile attack
The Israeli military said Sunday that Iran launched an attack with more than 300 drones and missiles overnight, and that Israel's defense successfully intercepted most of the projectile.
According to the Israeli military, approximately 170 drones, 40 cruise missiles, and 150 ballistic missiles were fired from Iran into Israeli airspace. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said that a small number of Iranian ballistic missiles hit an Israeli air base, causing minor damage. This marked the first time Iran has launched a direct attack on Israel.
Israel's President Isaac Herzog said on CNN that the Iranian attack "showed the ironclad alliance between the U.S. and Israel," and that the situation in Gaza "has to be solved."
U.N. Security Council meets on Iran attack
The United Nations Security Council met Sunday to discuss Iran's attack on Israel. The meeting ended without any action or statement from the council.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said, "Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate....Now is the time for maximum restraint."
Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan said the world witnessed "an unprecedented escalation" that serves as "the clearest proof for what happens when warnings aren't heeded," and Iranian Ambassador Saeid Iravani said Iran's operation was "entirely in the exercise of Iran's inherent right to self-defense."
Biden speaks with Jordan's King Abdullah II
The White House said President Joe Biden spoke by phone Sunday with Jordan's King Abdullah II about the situation in the Middle East. Jordan is a key ally of Israel and has a border with Israel and with Iran-backed groups in Syria and Iraq.
Israel activates two reserve brigades for operations in Gaza
The Israeli military said it is activating two reserve brigades for "operational activities" in Gaza. These announcements come as Israel prepares for a ground invasion of Rafah, the southern Gaza city that Israel says is Hamas' last major stronghold.
G7 countries condemn Iran's attack on Israel
Leaders of the G7 "unequivocally condemned" Iran"s direct and unprecedented attack against Israel," in a statement following a virtual meeting Sunday. The G7 said Iran "fired hundreds of drones and missiles towards Israel" and "with the help of its partners, defeated the attack."
Taliban supports Iranian attack on Israel
The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, part of the Taliban government, issued a statement supporting Iran's attack on Israel. It said Israel acted "in continuation of its crimes and in contravention of all diplomatic norms and international laws" by the attack on April 2 on the Iranian consulate in Syria, in which 12 people were killed.
Iran says it notified the U.S. before attacking Israel
Iran's foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, said in a press conference that his country notified the U.S. before launching the strike against Israel. "Early Sunday in a message to the White House we announced that our operation would be limited and minimalistic and aimed at legitimate defense and punishing the Israeli regime," Amirabdollahian said.
Houthi rebels say Iranian attack was legitimate
The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen said Iran's attack on Israel was "legitimate" and came "in response to an airstrike on Iran's consulate in Syria" that was widely blamed on Israel.