Iran's unprecedented drone blitz on Israel ignites global condemnation
7:46 AM EDT, April 14, 2024, updated: 10:22 AM EDT, April 14, 2024
Iran launched over 300 drones and missiles at Israel during the night, of which 99% were intercepted, marking a "significant strategic success," according to the Israeli military on Sunday morning. The strike lasted five hours. "This is the largest drone attack in history," writes CNN.
Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, condemned Iran's attack on Sunday morning. In a social media post, she called for restraint from the conflicting parties.
"I strongly condemn Iran's blatant and unjustified attack on Israel. And I call on Iran and its proxies to immediately cease these attacks," von der Leyen wrote on platform X, appealing to "restore stability in the region".
Macron warns of destabilizing the region
"I condemn in the strongest terms the unprecedented attack launched by Iran against Israel, which threatens to destabilize the region," Macron wrote on the portal X. He expressed solidarity with the people of Israel and the French commitment to the security of that country and stabilizing the region.
Israeli Prime Minister delivers a national address
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, shortly after the announcement that Iran had launched kamikaze drones toward Israel, delivered a national address. "Together we will stand and with G-d's help – together we will overcome all of our enemies," he declared.
"Citizens of Israel, in recent years, and even more so in recent weeks, Israel has been preparing for the possibility of a direct attack from Iran. Our defense systems are deployed," said Netanyahu.
He emphasized that the Israeli army was "ready for any scenario, both defensively and offensively. The State of Israel is strong. The IDF is strong. The public is strong. We appreciate the US standing alongside Israel as well as the support of Britain, France, and many other countries," the Prime Minister of Israel assured.