The Associated Press (“AP News”) reports that Iran directly attacked Israel yesterday (4/13/2024) in response to a strike widely blamed on Israel on an Iranian consular building in Syria earlier this month, killing seven, including two Iranian generals.
Israel says that Iran launched 170 drones, 30(+) cruise missiles and 120(+) ballistic missiles against Israel, and claimed that its air defenses were successful in fending off the attack – with substantial help from the United States military.
Israel says that 99% of all drones and missiles launched by Iran were downed, with only minor damage due to falling debris from drone or missile intercepts. Tensions remain high in the Middle East in light of the risk for further escalation and a probable military response by Israel.
U.S. President Joe Biden has announced that he will convene a meeting of the Group of Seven (“G7”) advanced democracies today (4/14/2024) “to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack.”
The AP News report may be read in full HERE.
The Jerusalem Post also reports on Iran’s attack against Israel. Israel Defense Forces (“IDF”) Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that none of Iran’s drones or cruise missiles entered Israeli airspace and that only a small number of ballistic missiles penetrated the Jewish state’s airspace.
Almost all interceptions were reportedly accomplished by aircraft, David’s Sling or the Arrow missile systems. The Iron Dome, which defends well against Hamas and Hezbollah rockets, is less effective against drones and more sophisticated long-range missiles.
The Jerusalem Post report may be read in full HERE.
REUTERS is also reporting on Iran’s attack, citing a warning from Iran to Israel and the United States of a “much larger response” if there is any retaliation for its mass drone and missile attack on Israel.
Iran’s Major General Mohammad Bagheri warned that “our response will be much larger than tonight’s military action if Israel retaliates against Iran” and stated that U.S. bases could be attacked if the U.S. military helped Israel to retaliate.
At the request of Israel, the United Nations Security Council has established a 4:00 PM (EST) meeting today (4/14/2024) regarding Iran’s attack and to discuss a request to designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization.
The REUTERS article may be read in full HERE.
My brothers and sisters, yesterday’s brazen act of war against Israel proves that everything said about Iran being the most infamous and longstanding state sponsor of terror – which is now directly attacking Israel – is true.
Mainstream media, while doing its obligatory reporting, seems to be “playing down” the global consequences of Iran’s attack. Not to suggest that Hezbollah’s past firing of rockets into northern Israel should be viewed as a ‘minor’ and accepted without the expectation of an Israeli response, but what happened yesterday portends a potential international catastrophe.
The United States military was reportedly highly engaged in the military interception and destruction of dozens, if not hundreds, of Iran’s drones and missiles over Iraq and Syria. This means that the United States military is already in DIRECT military conflict with Iran.
For its part, it seems illogical to assume that Israel would not, at times and locations of its choosing, respond to this attack by Iran. It has every right, if not a responsibility to its citizens, to do so. As the only democratic country and the only true United States ally in the entire Middle East, President Joe Biden is right to signal unwavering support for Israel. May God help us if we ever take any other position.
As believers, let’s pray fervently for an appropriate and timely resolution, peace in the Holy Land, and that the Holy Spirit would touch and change the hearts of those who desire to pursue evil by killing the Jewish people and destroying the country of Israel.
Let’s remember what scripture has to say about God’s chosen people:
Genesis 12:3 (NKJV)
The LORD said to Abram (later Abraham): “I will bless those who bless you, [a]nd I will curse him who curses you; [a]nd in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Deuteronomy 7:6 (NKJV)
“For you [the Jews] are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself [emphasis mine], a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.”
Zechariah 2:8-10 (NKJV)
“For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me. Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion [Jerusalem]! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,’ says the Lord.”
Praise Jesus forevermore!