News Update
Yesterday, Iran fired 181 ballistic missiles at Israel, saying that it was in revenge for the killing of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah. The missiles took just 15 minutes to get from Iran to Israel. Most of the missiles were intercepted by Israel, with the assistance of the U.S. and U.K. A Jordanian official told CNN that Jordan actively participated in the defense against the Iranian attack. The only casualty was a Palestinian man in Jericho who was killed by falling shrapnel from an interception.
Some damage was reported. A missile hit a road outside the Mossad headquarters near Tel Aviv. A missile exploded near a school in a town in central Israel, causing extensive damage to the building and a large crater outside. A missile blast damaged around 100 houses in Hod Hasharon, a town north of Tel Aviv. Photos from the town showed windows and doors blown in, and cars smashed by flying debris. The Netivim IDF base in the Negev sustained damage, but the extent is classified. Several air bases might have sustained some damage too. Some missiles fell in open areas.
[It’s unclear what Iran gained from the attack, other than giving Israel the legitimacy and excuse to retaliate, in a big way.]
In response to the attack, Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “Iran made a big mistake tonight – and it will pay for it. The Iranian regime doesn’t understand our determination to defend ourselves or our resolve to strike back at our enemies. Sinwar and Deif didn’t understand, Nasrallah and Mohsen didn’t understand, and apparently, there are those in Tehran who still don’t understand. They will learn. We will adhere to the principle we have set: Whoever attacks us – we will attack them.”
He concluded by saying, As Rosh Hashanah approaches, I say to you, citizens of Israel: Israel is rising, and the Axis of Evil is retreating. We will do everything necessary to continue this momentum, achieve all our war goals, especially the return of all our captives, and secure our existence and future. Shanah Tovah and a safe year to you all.”
IDF forces continue to destroy Hezbollah terror targets with air strikes and ground forces, in southern Lebanon. The IDF announced that its 36th Division, including the Golani Brigade, the 188th Armored Brigade, the Etzioni Brigade and other units, have joined the ground offensive.
Captain Eitan Yitzhak Oster, 22, from Modi’in, a fighter in the Egoz unit, fell in battle in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah fired over 100 rockets into northern Israel this morning. At least 10 homes in Metula were damaged.
Two terrorists with an M-16 assault rifle shot and killed 7 people and wounded 15, inside and outside of the light rail in Jaffa yesterday. Security forces shot and killed the terrorists, who were both from Hebron. The murdered included Inbar Segev-Vigder, 33, a fitness center owner, who was killed while shielding her 9 month old son Ari, who survived the attack.
Other victims were:
– Revital Bronstein, 24, from Bat Yam, an only child and a distinguished master’s student in computer science.
– Nadia Sokolenko, 40, from Jaffa, a mother of one.
– Ilia Nozadze, 42, a Georgian national visiting Israel.
– Shahar Goldman, from Lod, who had been married just over a year. Lod Mayor Yair Revivo called her “an international Latin dancer and an amazing woman from a remarkable family.”
Standard & Poor’s Global rating agency cut Israel’s rating to ‘A’ from ‘A+’ and maintained a negative outlook as it sees risks of further escalation in the fighting with Hezbollah in Lebanon and the risk of a “more direct war with Iran.” It said, “We anticipate that higher security threats will dampen consumer and investor confidence, while tourism, construction, and agricultural sectors will remain affected. A wider ground operation in Lebanon requiring a call-up of reservists could also constrain economic recovery in the short term.” The Downgrade came right after the Iranian missile attack. On Friday, Moody’s cut Israel’s credit rating by two notches, from A2 to Baa1. For more, click here.
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year 5785, begins tonight and ends Friday evening. May we all merit to be inscribed in the Book of Life and be blessed with health, happiness and peace.
