Iran launched multiple waves of ballistic missiles across Israel today, in a massive barrage deliberately targeting the majority of Israel’s citizens.
A third barrage of missiles was fired across Israel moments ago.
Millions of Israelis have spent the past 12 hours huddled in bomb shelters, as Israel’s air defense systems and fighter pilots operate over Israel’s skies to shoot down the missiles. Most of the missiles have been shot down so far thanks to the defense systems we’ve lobbied for together over decades. But some permeated Israel’s defense shield and made impact.
Tonight, at least 41 Israelis are injured. One woman who was critically injured has died.
As Israel continues to take action against Iran and confront Iranian missiles, America must continue to stand unequivocally with our ally, help deter Iran, and help defend the Jewish state from attacks.
Israel is fighting to protect its families and the world from a nuclear Iran as the regime launches hundreds of missiles at Israeli communities. Take one minute and urge Congress and the administration to publicly stand with Israel! www.aipac.org/Iran
Israel's missile defense system intercepts Iranian ballistic missiles over the skies of Tel Aviv.
Iranian ballistic missiles struck residential buildings in Tel Aviv.
PM NETANYAHU ADDRESSES IRANIAN PEOPLE: Prime Minister Netanyahu gave a speech tonight directly to the people of Iran, saying:
"Israel's fight is not against the Iranian people. Our fight is against the murderous Islamic regime that oppresses and impoverishes you.”
"The time has come for the Iranian people to unite around its flag and its historic legacy, by standing up for your freedom from the evil and oppressive regime."
"As we achieve our objective we are also clearing the path for you to achieve your freedom."
The Prime Minister added, "The objective of Israel's operation is to thwart the Islamic regime's nuclear and ballistic missile threat to us.”
"In the past 24 hours, we have taken out top military commanders, senior nuclear scientists, the Islamic regime's most significant enrichment facility and a large portion of its ballistic missile arsenal."
ISRAEL CONTINUES STRIKES ON IRAN'S NUCLEAR SITES: Israel struck Iran's nuclear plant at Isfahan today, a major uranium conversion facility that held stocks of Iran's 20% and 60% enriched uranium.
Israeli jets also struck nuclear facilities in Parchin and Fordow.
Prime Minister Netanyahu reported that Iran's nuclear site at Natanz has been destroyed by the IDF.
International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi said today that the above-ground enrichment plant at Natanz had been destroyed, adding, "At present, the Iranian authorities are informing us of attacks on two other facilities, namely the Fordow fuel enrichment plant and at Isfahan."
Significant damage at the Natanz nuclear site.
'HOW ISRAELI SPIES AND PILOTS CRIPPLED AN IRANIAN COUNTERSTRIKE': Reporting in Axios reveals the extent of Israel's intelligence on the Iranian regime, enabling the Jewish state to cripple Iran's response to its surprise assault.
When Iran became aware of Israel's imminent attack, senior IRGC air force commanders gathered in a bunker to coordinate the regime's response.
But Israel's intelligence penetration meant that it knew where and when they would meet, and destroyed the bunker in the initial assault, killing the overall commander and the heads of the drone and air defense forces.
In total, more than two dozen Iranian commanders, including the heads of the IRGC, the Iranian military and Iran's emergency military headquarters, were all killed in the opening strike.
Meanwhile, Mossad agents in Iran were conducting covert sabotage operations to take out air defenses and ballistic missile launchers.
Mossad even established an attack drone base inside Iran to deploy in coordination with the aerial assault.
These operations played a major role in blunting Iran's initial response, saving countless lives in Israel in coordination with joint U.S.-Israel missile defense systems.
The work we’ve done over many years has helped ensure Israel has the resources to fight this war. But the work ahead of us in the coming days and weeks will help ensure America stands unequivocally by Israel’s side until victory.
The mission of AIPAC is to encourage and persuade the U.S. government to enact specific policies that create a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial relationship with our ally Israel.
