Tension in the Middle East is skyrocketing Israel is preparing to respond to Iran's attack last weekend. The prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu He reiterated that Tel Aviv will choose its own targets and do everything necessary to protect its citizens, rejecting calls for restraint from the international community. Meanwhile, today the meeting will take place Israeli war cabinet. On the agenda are the possible attack against Iranian targets, negotiations for the release of the hostages and a truce in Gaza, and clashes with the Lebanese Hezbollah militias on the northern border.
At the gates of Europe, another tragedy strikesUkraine, this time in the city of Chernihiv, where a Russian attack left at least 17 civilians dead and 61 injured, including three children. The attack hit a densely populated area, destroying an eight-story building and severely damaging several other buildings, including a hospital and a school. The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with the secretary general of NATO Jens Stoltenberg, which recognized the urgency of the situation and called on allies to step up aid to Ukraine. Stoltenberg announced the convening of an extraordinary NATO-Ukraine council for tomorrow, Friday 19 April.
Iran-Israel: when will Netanyahu's response be?
The escalation of threats was triggered byHezbollah attack with drones in the region of Galilee, causing civilian and military injuries. Netanyahu addressed the German and British foreign ministers, underlining Israel's right to defend itself from aggression. “There will be a response, but it will most likely be different from what was expected,” underlines the Israeli television network Kan, according to which Israel wanted to strike Iran as early as Monday, but agreed to delay the response after the conversation with US President Joe Biden. The Minister of Defense adds further tension Yoav Gallant, declaring that Israel will not hesitate to strike wherever necessary to protect its territory.
While Israel plans the counterattack, theIran he responded equally firmly, warning that any assault will be met with a “powerful and ferocious” response. The attack against Israel on Saturday night "defeated the false hegemony of the Zionist regime" in the Middle East, the Iranian president stressed Ebrahim raisi, insisting that the “true promise” operation was “limited” otherwise “there would be nothing left of the Zionist regime.” US sources reveal that an Israeli attack on Tehran before the end of Passover, which begins on Monday 22 April and ends on the 29th, is unlikely, but the situation remains extremely volatile. The sources reveal that Pasdaran commanders and other Iranian leaders are still on high alert, with some hiding in safe havens and underground facilities.
Borrell: “Don't attack Rafah, it would be a catastrophe”
The head of diplomacy of the European Union, Josep Borrell, launched an urgent appeal from Capri, urging not to attack Rafah: “It would be a catastrophe. In Rafah there are 1,7 million people on the streets,” he recalled, “with no possibility to defend themselves and escape.” Borrell also called for the importance of supporting Israel, but highlighted the need to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by considering Palestinian rights. Finally, he proposed to review and expand the system of sanctions against components producing Iranian drones and missiles to make it more effective. Finally, he proposed to review and expand the system of sanctions against components producing Iranian drones and missiles to make it more effective. The new package could be issued today during the European Council.
Zelensky: “Ukraine under attack by drones and missiles like Israel”
As the international community seeks to mobilize resources to support Ukraine, Pres Zelensky calls for "no unequal treatment" and expresses his disappointment at the failure to arrive of ammunition promised by the European Union, urging an immediate acceleration in the implementation of the support agreements.
“Ukrainian skies and those of our neighbors deserve the same security. And I thank all those who perceive our need for security as that of everyone", declared the Ukrainian leader, implicitly referring to the assistance provided - by the USA, France and the United Kingdom - on Saturday night in shielding Israel. “We work tirelessly to strengthen relationships with our partners to receive tangible support and ensure true equality in protection from terror. So that when we face the same terror and the same missile and drone strikes, the rules are the same in Ukraine, Europe and other parts of the world. We have heard about different conflicts and different threats of escalation. But maybe human lives are different? Perhaps human dignity is?”, asked President Zelensky.
“Moreover – he added – some other initiatives have not yet been fully implemented, and this is reflected above all in what our soldiers can use at the front and in what they unfortunately still have to wait for. I ask you to accelerate the implementation of our agreements with you, both on the supplies and joint production of weapons and ammunition, and on the financing of relevant projects,” he concluded.
Borrell (EU): “Let's take the Patriots out of storage and give them to Kiev”
The Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, during the first G7 session in Capri, warned about the need to assist Ukraine, warning that without such support Putin will not be inclined to negotiate for peace. Furthermore, tensions have further escalated with the arrest of two alleged Russian agents in Germany, accused of planning sabotage and military espionage.
In this context, the High Representative of the EU Josep Borrell proposes to make missile defense systems available Patriot for Kiev. “We cannot rely only on the USA, we must take our responsibility. We have the Patriots, we have the anti-missile systems, we need to get them out of the warehouses and send them to Ukraine, where the war is escalating, and I'm sure we will do it quickly."
