Israel v. Iran: History in the Making!!!

17 Sivan 5785
Erev Shabbat Kodesh
Parashat Beha'alotcha   

[See updates at the bottom!]

I got a wake-up call around 3:15 am...  

Binyamin Regional Council Spokesperson:📣 The State of Israel launched an attack against Iran.

As a result, the defense establishment estimates that a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future.

From now on, the home front enters a special state of emergency in the home front throughout the entire territory of the State of Israel.

The Home Front Command decided to change the guidelines:

- There are no educational activities.

- No gatherings are allowed.

- No activity in workplaces except for essential businesses.

The council's emergency response team, led by the council's head, began operating at this time. Together with the locality teams, we are fully prepared.

We will pray for a great victory and for the protection of all our soldiers and citizens in the Land of Israel!

Great coverage in English:  Israel Attacks Iran - LIVE Breaking News Coverage

***

(5:23 am IST update)

🔸Prayers and blowing of shofars and trumpets now taking place at the Western Wall Plaza for the success of IDF soldiers and security forces fighting on the various fronts. "And when you come from war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you and your enemies in distress, you will be remembered before the Lord your God and be saved from your enemies" (from this week's Torah portion)  [Complete report here.]

(5:40 am IST update)  Israel Realtime...

🚨 ISRAEL STRIKES IRANIAN TARGETS; IRAN VOWS MASSIVE RETALIATION AS DEFCON 4 ALERT ISSUED; MISSILE ATTACK ON ISRAEL EXPECTED WITH U.S. BASES ALSO IN DANGER

🟥 Tensions have sharply escalated following Israel’s major aerial campaign against Iran, known as Operation Rising Lion, with over 250 precision strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure and leadership figures. A Mossad source told Israeli Army Radio: “The list of the assassinated Iranian leaders is long and unprecedented.” In a statement to Fox News, an Israeli official warned: "We are just getting started."

⭕ In response, Iran vowed retaliation, declaring: "You started it, and we will be the ones to end it. Just wait." Iranian leadership has reportedly prepared to launch 300–400 missiles, supported by drone swarms, with U.S. bases also expected to be targeted. A senior U.S. official told Al Jazeera, "We expect an Iranian response proportionate to the Israeli attack."

⚠️ The IDF Home Front Command warned via Channel 12 that a large-scale Iranian missile strike on Israel is imminent, possibly within hours, according to intelligence briefed to Prime Minister Netanyahu. In preparation, IDF Northern Command has mobilized reserve forces to strengthen border defenses.

🚨 A DEFCON 4 alert level has been declared, signaling elevated readiness across the region. All Israeli airlines have halted operations worldwide amid the threat. Meanwhile, Israeli hospitals are operating under maximum emergency protocols, bracing for incoming mass casualty scenarios.

🔹 The IDF has imposed a complete blockade across Judea and Samaria, tightening control in anticipation of potential unrest or coordinated attacks.

📌 JUST IN: President Trump has called for an emergency National Security Council meeting on Friday at 11:00 AM, amid the deepening regional crisis and heightened threat to American interests.

(Update 8:06 am IST)  Various reports via "X"

• The Israel Defense Force reports that Iran in the past hour has launched over 100 drones against Israeli territory, and that efforts are being made to intercept them before they reach Israel. The drones could take up to seven hours to cross Iraq, Syria, and Jordan before eventually reaching Israel.
• CNN reports that the entire Iranian general staff were eliminated in decapitation strikes.
• Report of the downing of 8 Iranian fighter jets in air-to-air combat with Israeli fighter jets.
• Iran’s top nuclear chief has admitted that the Natanz facility—one of the regime’s most vital nuclear sites—has been COMPLETELY destroyed.
• #BREAKING: Not a single IAF pilot reported any anti-aircraft fire from Iran amid the waves of strikes on Iranian military and nuclear targets. (Channel 13)

IMPORTANT NEW INSTRUCTION - following a siren, DO NOT immediately exit the protected space, not even after 10 minutes. Wait for an all-clear announcement. A missile attack may be for an extended period of time.

(Update 8:21 am IST)  Via "X"

• CONFIRMED: Iranian Shahed-136 drones are heading towards Israel (7 hrs);  Ballistic missiles will be launched shortly.  (15 min)
• 🚨 Breaking: Reports that Israel has conveyed the message that if Iran retaliates, Khamenei will be eliminated.
• Ali Khamenei has declared all-out war on Israel and the United States in the Middle East, and ordered his entire proxy network to attack all Israeli and American bases throughout the region.

(Update 10:37 am IST)  Via "X"

• Iranian retaliation is delayed because 3rd wave of Israeli strikes targeted launchers & missiles ready to be fired. (via @N12News)
  
• ❗UPDATE ESTIMATE IRAN ATTACK ARRIVAL, on the basis of drones spotted in Syria - 10:30-11:30 PM  (They must mean "A"M).
  
• The Jordanian Armed Forces report that the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) intercepted a number of “missiles and drones” that entered Jordanian airspace this morning, adding that RJAF aircraft are operating at a “high level of readiness” to protect the skies of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
  
• Jordan has opened its airspace to Israeli fighters to intercept Iranian drones. American, Israeli and British fighter jets all active above Syria and Iraq to intercept the drones.
• Israeli media says the Mossad built a drone base inside Iran.  The base was used to deploy precision weapons in the heart of Iran, to attacking defense systems - from vehicles and drones operating from within Iran and launched at missile launchers.

(Update 12:41 pm IST) Via "X"

• Initial reports: More than 800 Iranian projectiles - cruise missiles, suicide drones, and ballistic missiles - have been launched against Israel. UK, US, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan are trying to intercept them.
• 🔥 Just In: The IDF has launched a fresh wave of strikes on IRGC terror targets in Iran.
• Israel launches fresh strikes in Iran, targeting airbase in Tabriz, N12 News reports. Air Force is not taking a break yet.

Unless something very major occurs, this will be all from me before Shabbat, so this will conclude the reporting from this blog post.  If something urgent arises, look for it at the top of the parshah piece.  May HKB"H grant His children a peaceful Shabbat no matter where they are in the world.  Amen.