April 14, 2024 - Iran's attack on Israel

The leaders of the G7 condemned "in the strongest terms" Iran’s unprecedented direct attack against Israel, in a joint statement released on Sunday after a virtual meeting. 

The G7 leaders vowed to continue working toward stabilizing the situation and avoiding further escalation. "In this spirit, we demand that Iran and its proxies cease their attacks, and we stand ready to take further measures now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives," the statement said. 

The meeting was chaired by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. 

COGAT, the Israeli agency coordinating the inspection and delivery of humanitarian assistance for Gaza, says a World Food Programme (WFP) bakery has reopened in northern Gaza.

COGAT noted that this bakery produces about 650,000 pita bread daily and showed a video of piles of bread wrapped in plastic covering the counters and floors. 

WFP said much-needed fuel was delivered to the bakery in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), so its machines could start producing bread after being closed for months.

"Bakeries have been unable to operate for several months due to conflict and lack of access. We need safe & sustained access to prevent famine," WFP said on X Sunday.

"One of the main reasons for famine was the shutdown of bakeries," bakery owner Kamel Ajour said in a WFP video. "Making bakeries work again will bring back life to the Gaza Strip."

Iran informed Turkey last week, before its strike on Israel, of “the options” for retaliation, a Turkish diplomatic source told CNN. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan then informed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken of Iran's "possible developments."

Turkish diplomatic sources also said that Fidan spoke Sunday with the Iranian foreign minister and said that Turkey did not want to see further escalation in the region. Fidan also spoke with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron with the same message of de-escalation.

Lebanese militant group Hezbollah congratulated Iran's leadership following a “qualitative and unprecedented” attack targeting what it said was the “unjust and aggressive enemy entity” of Israel.

In a statement Sunday, the group praised Iran's decision to respond firmly to what it described as “Zionist aggression” against the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

Hezbollah lauded what it said was Iran's exercise of its "natural and legal" right to retaliate, despite facing “threats, intimidation, and pressure.” The operation, which Hezbollah described as executed with unparalleled courage and wisdom, achieved its military objectives despite the involvement of the United States, its international allies, and regional actors.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Sunday it was calling in approximately two reserve brigades for Gaza "operational activities" after a situational assessment.

"Their calling will allow the continuous effort and readiness to defend the state of Israel and the security of civilians," the statement added.

The IDF said it could not share further details at the moment.

Some context: Tensions continue to escalate across the Middle East after Iran launched a barrage of missiles and drones on Israel on Sunday.

Iran launched the unprecedented attack in response to a suspected Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, earlier this month. 

US President Joe Biden spoke with King Abdullah of Jordan on Sunday, according to the White House and the Jordanian court.

Abdullah told Biden that "ending the war on Gaza immediately" is the way to prevent a regional spillover.

Discussions during the phone call also covered the need to maintain coordination between Jordan and the US on regional developments.

Earlier, the Jordanian government appealed for all parties to “exercise restraint and handle regional tensions with discipline and responsibility” following Iran’s overnight attack on Israel.

At a cabinet session chaired by Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, Jordanian officials emphasized the importance of de-escalation and urged all parties to act responsibly and demonstrate “utmost self-restraint." The cabinet underscored the necessity of addressing the risks and repercussions of regional escalation on international peace and security.

The government assured the public that Jordan was functioning normally, with public services, education, and healthcare facilities operating smoothly. It also reiterated support for the Jordanian Armed Forces in safeguarding the country’s security.

Early Sunday morning, residents in Amman told CNN that they saw and heard activity in the skies over the Jordanian capital, sparking panic among the population. The cabinet said it had intercepted “foreign objects in Jordanian airspace to protect citizens and residential areas.”

“While some fragments fell in various locations, no significant damage or injuries were reported,” the cabinet added.

The government said the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (CARC) is “continuously evaluating the situation” after temporarily closing Jordanian airspace on Sunday.

The headline and post were updated with details on a call between Biden and Abdullah.

Germany's foreign minister Annalena Baerbock has emphasized the fragile security situation in the Middle East following Iran's attack on Israel. 

She pointed to condemnations from countries, saying they showed that while Iran is "isolated with its aggressive behavior," Israel's defense capabilities are "strong." 

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk also weighed in on the wider security consequences, saying that while the situation "does not pose a direct threat to Poland at the moment," it is clear that the entire "world is on the brink." 

In light of this, Poland will make sure it has a "well-prepared army" and "a stable international position," Tusk said in a social media post Sunday. 

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Sunday that world leaders had been united in their call for "responsibility and restraint" following the attack. 

The UK Foreign Minister David Cameron also condemned the attack against Israel "in the strongest terms" during a call with Iran's foreign minister.

The post was updated with the statement from David Cameron.

The White House released a photo Sunday showing US President Joe Biden speaking with the leaders of the G7.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Mideast coordinator Brett McGurk are also shown. 

The White House said in a post on X that the leaders “condemned Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel and reaffirmed the G7's commitment to Israel's security.”

The meeting was called to discuss what Biden called an "urgent diplomatic response" to Iran's attack.

The G7 meeting has now concluded, according to an administration official.

The post was updated with the meeting concluding.

Israel will “exact a price from Iran in a way and time that suits us,” war cabinet minister Benny Gantz said on Sunday, following the Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel.

Iran “met the strength of the Israeli security system,” Gantz said, a reference to the minimal damage caused by the assault involving hundreds of projectiles.

His comments come as Israel’s war cabinet met.

The cabinet is composed of Gantz, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Among others in attendance Sunday were Defense Forces chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Mossad director David Barnea, observer members Gadi Eisenkot and Aryeh Deri, national security advisor Tzachi Hanegbi and cabinet secretary Yossi Fuchs.

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The post was updated with the identification of attendees at the war cabinet meeting today.