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Edited by: Fern Sidman
Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi issued a stark warning to Israel on Tuesday, declaring that while Iran does not seek war, it is fully prepared for military conflict should Israel choose to provoke it. Speaking during a news conference following a televised address, Araqchi emphasized Iran’s readiness to defend itself against any potential Israeli aggression, particularly any attacks on Iranian infrastructure.
“Our policy is not one of war or continued tension, but we are ready for it,” Araqchi said, according to a report on Amu.tv, reiterating that Iran would respond swiftly and decisively to any Israeli strikes. His comments come at a time of heightened conflict between the two nations, following Iran’s missile barrage targeting Israel last week. Israel responded with a firm vow to retaliate, fueling fears that the situation could spiral into a broader military confrontation.
The recent missile strike marked a significant escalation in the long-standing hostilities between Israel and Iran, who have been locked in a proxy conflict across the region for years. Iran has repeatedly backed terrorist groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas, which represent direct threats to Israel’s national security. The missile attack, launched by Iranian forces, was seen as a bold move by Tehran and has prompted concerns about the possibility of a more direct conflict between the two powers.
In a related development, Iran’s oil minister, Javad Owji, visited Kharg Island on Sunday, underscoring Iran’s strategic concerns over its energy infrastructure. Kharg Island, home to Iran’s principal oil export terminal, is a critical asset for the country’s economy, making it a likely target in the event of an Israeli military strike, as was noted in the Amu.tv report. The oil ministry’s news agency, Shana, reported that Owji met with a naval commander during the visit, reflecting Iran’s fears that its energy facilities could be attacked as part of an Israeli retaliation strategy. The visit was likely aimed at assessing the island’s defenses and preparing for potential military scenarios.
The New York Times reported on Tuesday that the Israeli military carried out airstrikes on a residential building near the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, Syria, in an attempt to assassinate a ranking Hezbollah official involved in weapons smuggling, according to two Israeli officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence.
Syria’s state news agency, SANA, cited a military source Tuesday as saying that Israel had launched three rockets that targeted a residential and commercial building in the Mezzeh district of Damascus, a highly fortified neighborhood that houses foreign embassies and security buildings, killing seven civilians.
The NYT report also indicated that it wasn’t clear if the targeted official was among the dead, but the Iranian Embassy in Damascus said in a statement on Tuesday that no Iranian citizens had been killed or wounded in the strike. That could not immediately be independently verified.
Also on Tuesday, it was reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to delay his planned trip to the Pentagon, holding off on critical talks with U.S. defense officials regarding Iran until President Biden initiates a direct conversation with him. According to a source confirmed by The Jerusalem Post, Gallant had been scheduled to depart for Washington on Tuesday night to engage in discussions with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, but the trip has been postponed amid growing tensions between Israel and Iran.
The decision to delay Gallant’s visit comes at a sensitive time for Israel, as it contemplates the nature and extent of its retaliatory strike against Iran. Israel is weighing its options in response to recent provocations, including missile strikes and Iran’s increasing military activities in the region. The delay signals a potential strain in communication between Israel and the United States, especially given that President Biden has not yet spoken directly to Netanyahu.
In reference to Hezbollah, on Tuesday, The Jewish News Syndicate reported that the northern Israeli city of Haifa and its surrounding areas came under intense rocket fire from the terror proxy, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing hostilities. Over 100 rockets were fired from southern Lebanon toward Israel, with multiple impacts reported in civilian areas, according to the JNS report. This barrage came in the wake of sustained attacks by Hezbollah, which has ramped up its assaults on Israeli territory in recent weeks.
According to Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s emergency medical service, a 71-year-old woman sustained a shrapnel injury to her hand and was evacuated to Rambam Hospital in Haifa. While her condition was reported as mild, six others were injured while rushing to shelters, and five additional individuals suffered anxiety attacks due to the intense bombardment, as per the JNS report. The injured were transported to both Rambam Hospital and Carmel Medical Center for treatment.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted many of the rockets, though several managed to hit the ground, causing damage to property. The IDF reported that the first salvo consisted of 85 rockets, with another 20 fired approximately 30 minutes later.
In the hours leading up to the rocket barrage, the IDF launched retaliatory strikes on Hezbollah positions in Beirut, specifically targeting the group’s stronghold in the Dahiya district, the JNS report said. Hezbollah has been conducting almost daily attacks on Israel since early October. These attacks have resulted in significant casualties and damage, with more than 40 Israeli lives lost and widespread destruction across northern Israel.
Earlier on Tuesday, 25 rockets were fired at the Lower Galilee area, causing further disruption and damage. The IDF intercepted some of these projectiles, while others landed in open areas. JNS reported that despite the severity of these ongoing attacks, the IDF clarified that there were no changes to the Home Front Command’s defensive guidelines for civilians in the north.
Hezbollah’s rocket barrage coincided with a speech by the group’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, underscoring the coordination between the terror group’s political rhetoric and its military operations. According to the JNS report, Monday saw 190 projectiles launched at Israeli territory, primarily targeting northern regions. In a rare escalation, five rockets were fired at the Tel Aviv metropolitan area on Monday night, signaling Hezbollah’s willingness to expand its reach beyond the northern border.
The situation has left tens of thousands of Israelis internally displaced, particularly in the northern regions, as civilians continue to flee the violence. Over the past year, Hezbollah has fired more than 12,400 projectiles into Israeli territory, representing a significant increase in hostilities compared to previous years, the JNS report explained.
In a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the IDF announced that the elite Golani Brigade has taken operational control of a Hezbollah compound in Maroun El Ras, a strategically important town in Southern Lebanon, as per the information provided in the JNS report. The compound, which posed a direct threat to the northern communities of Israel, was discovered during targeted military operations aimed at neutralizing Hezbollah’s infrastructure along the border region.
The seized compound, according to the IDF, contained a range of Hezbollah military assets, including a loaded and ready-to-fire rocket launcher, hidden within an olive grove near the residential building. The location, with its elevated position overlooking Israeli border communities, had been used by Hezbollah to stage attacks, making it a high-value target for Israel’s military efforts. The Golani Brigade’s successful operation has removed a key threat to northern Israel, bringing relief to the residents of the region who have been under constant threat from Hezbollah’s rocket fire.
JNS reported that, in addition to the launcher, IDF soldiers uncovered extensive underground infrastructure and a wide array of terrorist assets within the compound. This included hidden bunkers, living quarters, and staging areas used by Hezbollah operatives to prepare for attacks. Weapons stockpiles were also found, including guns, camouflage nets, military vests, and anti-tank missiles, some of which were concealed in everyday locations, such as the kitchen of the residential building.
The IDF further revealed that the compound was stocked with weapons intended for multiple ambushes against both Israeli civilians and soldiers, indicating that Hezbollah had planned a large-scale assault from this position. The discovery and destruction of these weapons represent a significant blow to Hezbollah’s capabilities in the area, disrupting their operational plans and weakening their ability to launch further attacks on Israel’s northern communities.
Following the operation, Israeli soldiers raised the national flag of Israel over the Hezbollah compound in Maroun El Ras, a symbolic gesture marking the IDF’s control of the strategic location. According to Kan News, Israel’s public broadcaster, this action highlights the significance of the operation and serves as a message to Hezbollah that Israel will not tolerate its continued military presence along the border.
In related news, Israel held solemn ceremonies on Monday to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the devastating October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas terrorists, an event that shocked the nation and the world. The attack, described as one of the deadliest in Israel’s history, claimed the lives of over 1200 Israelis and marked a significant escalation in the long-standing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Two major ceremonies took place to honor the victims. The first was an official government event held in the southern city of Ofakim, where the massacre had left a deep scar on the local community. Newsweek reported that the ceremony, prerecorded without an audience, was organized by the Israeli government and broadcast to the nation. It reflected the deep pain that still reverberates through the country and symbolized Israel’s ongoing fight to recover from the trauma inflicted by Hamas.
The second ceremony took place in Tel Aviv, where families of those killed in the October 7 attack gathered alongside the relatives of hostages still being held in Gaza by Hamas. This more personal memorial gave a voice to the deep anguish of the families still awaiting answers or closure regarding their loved ones. Many of those present spoke of their determination to see the hostages returned and justice delivered to the perpetrators of the attack.
In conjunction with these ceremonies, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a special government meeting, where he addressed the significance of the anniversary and the ongoing challenges Israel faces. Newsweek reported that in his remarks, Netanyahu called the October 7 massacre a “black day” for Israel, characterizing it as “the most horrific attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust.” He emphasized that, unlike in the Holocaust, Israel was able to fight back against its enemies and engage in what he called a “war of revival.”
Netanyahu expressed that Israel’s current military objectives remain clear and resolute. “We are changing the security reality in our region,” he said, reinforcing his government’s commitment to continuing military operations until Israel’s goals are fully achieved.
At the same time, the impact of the attack was felt beyond Israel’s borders, with global figures commemorating the anniversary in solidarity with the victims. In Washington, D.C., President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden hosted a memorial ceremony at the White House. The Associated Press reported that during the solemn event, Rabbi Aaron Alexander of Washington’s Adas Israel Congregation recited the Yahrzeit prayer, the El Maleh Rachamim, for the victims. President Biden then lit a memorial candle, followed by a moment of silence to honor the lives lost in the attack.
According to The Associated Press, President Biden also spoke with Israeli President Isaac Herzog earlier in the day, reaffirming the United States’ continued support for Israel in the wake of the tragic events.
Across the Atlantic, hundreds gathered in Times Square, New York, for a memorial organized by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach and his World Values Network. The event was one of many held throughout the city to honor the victims and stand in solidarity with the Jewish community. As attendees filed through security on 7th Avenue, the symbolism of Times Square, once a site of pro-Hamas protests, was not lost. Rabbi Boteach proclaimed that the location no longer belonged to Hamas or Hezbollah, but to those who stand for peace and justice.
The memorial in Times Square featured a powerful display of unity, with Israeli flags waving alongside the American flag. The event opened with a rendition of both the Star-Spangled Banner and Hatikvah, Israel’s national anthem, setting a tone of solidarity between Israel and the United States. Rabbi Boteach led a kiddush in remembrance of the victims and took a moment to thank the local police for their assistance in securing the vigil.
The tone of the Times Square event was not solely one of remembrance; it was also a pluralistic display of support for Israel and the broader American Jewish community. Notably, many of the speakers were not Jewish, reflecting a diverse coalition of support. Dr. Ben Chavis, former head of the NAACP, delivered a powerful speech about the historic alliance between Blacks and Jews in America. “Blacks and Jews in America have always worked together. Blacks and Jews have always marched together. Blacks and Jews have always struggled together. Blacks and Jews have always worked for freedom together. Blacks and Jews have always fought for equality together,” Chavis stated, highlighting the shared legacy of resistance and solidarity between the two communities.
Danyal Khan, the deputy director of the Muslim American Leadership Alliance, further reinforced this message of interfaith solidarity. Addressing the crowd, he said, “To the Jewish people, your allies and friends, to people with empathy, October 7 never stopped.” His poignant words were followed by a chant of “bring them home,” as the crowd rallied behind the call for the return of the hostages still held in Gaza.
The keynote speaker, Medal of Honor recipient Florent Groberg, praised Israel’s resilience and its fight against what he called “evil.” Groberg’s speech struck a defiant note, celebrating the enduring strength of the Israeli people in the face of such devastating loss. His remarks, coupled with the emotional atmosphere of the vigil, underscored the sense of shared purpose among those gathered to commemorate the tragedy.
