Six civilians were killed and others injured on Saturday evening after an Israeli drone bombed a gathering of civilians in the city of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. The death toll in the Strip since dawn today has risen to 42.

Local sources reported that an Israeli drone bombed a gathering of civilians in Deir al-Balah, killing six people and wounding others.

Earlier, four civilians were killed and others injured after Israeli artillery shelled a gathering of civilians in the al-Tuffah neighborhood east of Gaza City. They were transferred to the Arab Baptist Hospital.

On Saturday morning, the Israeli occupation committed a massacre targeting civilians waiting for food aid west of the town of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip. According to medical sources, the massacre resulted in the deaths of 12 civilians and the injury of more than 50 others.

Local sources said that citizens began rescuing the wounded and transporting the dead to Al-Shifa Hospital using civilian vehicles and animal-drawn carts.

The sources explained that dozens of people gathered in the "Sudaniya" area west of Beit Lahia after a "rumor" spread about trucks carrying aid for international organizations, hoping to receive some of it. However, the occupation's artillery quickly targeted them.

Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli occupation has been committing genocide in Gaza, including killing, starvation, destruction, and displacement, ignoring international calls and orders from the International Court of Justice to halt it.

The genocide left more than 183,000 dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 11,000 missing. Hundreds of thousands were displaced, and famine claimed the lives of many, including children, as well as widespread destruction.

According to experts, Iranian officials had been preparing for more than a week for a large-scale Israeli attack "if the nuclear talks with the United States fail," as threatened by the United States. However, they apparently made a grave miscalculation—they did not anticipate an Israeli attack before the next round of talks, scheduled for Sunday in Oman. This is what sources close to the Iranian leadership told The New York Times on Friday.

They also dismissed reports of an imminent attack, believing that Israeli propaganda aimed to pressure Iran to make concessions on its nuclear program in these talks. The sources claimed that this laxity likely led them to neglect their precautions.

Officials reported that on the night of the Israeli attack, senior military commanders did not hide in safe places, but rather stayed at home—a fateful decision that cost them dearly. The commander of the Revolutionary Guards' air force, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, and his top staff also ignored an order not to gather in one place. They held an emergency meeting at a military base in Tehran and were killed in a direct Israeli strike, including Hossein Salami and Ali Shamkhani—the highest-ranking Iranian military officers and reportedly the leaders of Iran's nuclear program.

According to experts, the deception operation began on April 12, when Trump gave Iran a 60-day deadline, which ended on June 11. The Israeli strike, which caused significant damage to Iran and seriously—though not paralyzing—damaged the Iranian nuclear program, killing Shamkhani and other military and scientific leaders, came on June 13 (just after the deadline expired). During that period, Trump issued a variety of threats, intimidations, inducements, and warnings to Iran, repeatedly escalating his demand to dismantle its nuclear infrastructure without any limit (the so-called Libyan model, meaning destroying everything related to any nuclear effort, whether peaceful or not) or face dire consequences. In an interview conducted in early May with the famous radio host (and Trump friend) Hugh Hewitt, the US president presented Iran's leaders with two decisive options for dealing with their nuclear facilities: "blow them up smartly"—meaning under international supervision—or "blow them up brutally."

According to experts, the Iranians did not believe Trump was serious, giving the impression that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his advisors were confused by their inability to read Trump.

It should be noted that Trump announced last May that he would hold Iran responsible for all Houthi attacks. He then did not do so, instead striking a separate deal with the Houthis—even as they continued to attack Israel. In doing so, he undermined the credibility of his threats, left the impression that Israel was beyond the reach of American defense, and demonstrated that Netanyahu was alone in his desire to strike Iran.

Trump reinforced this impression elsewhere. He began negotiating directly with Hamas over Gaza, bypassing the Israelis. When he visited the Gulf, he did not visit Israel. Meanwhile, he lifted sanctions on Ahmed al-Sharaa and the new Syrian government. He apparently did so without speaking to Netanyahu, listening instead to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. This news was particularly welcome in Tehran, as the Saudis and Turks had been advising Trump to reach a negotiated agreement with Tehran and prevent an Israeli attack.

Pro-Trump media outlets in the United States also contributed significantly to the perception of a rift between Trump and Netanyahu. In Tehran, analysts were likely listening to the voices of those who oppose intervention, both within and outside his administration, according to experts and numerous political forums in the US capital. For example, this camp, led by prominent right-wing media personality Tucker Carlson, argued that Israel was dragging the United States into an unnecessary war. Carlson warned that such a conflict would end in the deaths of Americans without any strategic gains. Carlson's alleged closeness to Trump's inner circle appeared to serve as effective evidence of the president's intentions.

In mid-April, The New York Times claimed that Trump had obstructed planned Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, scheduled for May 2025. After internal debate within the Trump administration, Trump opted for diplomatic negotiations with Tehran, a decision driven by a desire to avoid military escalation in the Middle East and instead focus on East Asia. Trump informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of this intention during a meeting on April 7, 2025.

The mainstream Israeli media, which is indifferent to Netanyahu, and opposition parties were quick to exploit the alleged rift between him and Trump, portraying Netanyahu's failure to secure US support as evidence of his strategic weakness.

For his part, Supreme Leader Khamenei sought to bolster his position, employing tried-and-true diplomatic tactics. On June 11, just before the strike, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated on social media that his talks with Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, would continue. "President Trump took office saying that Iran should not have nuclear weapons," Araqchi wrote. "This is actually in line with our doctrine and could form the main basis for reaching an agreement. With the resumption of talks on Sunday, it is clear that an agreement that ensures the continued peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program is within reach."

According to Araghchi, as long as the talks in Oman continue, Netanyahu will not dare disrupt the process, fearing that this would undermine Trump's broader strategy to avoid entanglement in the Middle East.

Experts believe that the Iranian analysis of the developments was correct in almost all aspects. They believed that the rift between Trump and Netanyahu was real, not fabricated or exaggerated. They believed that Trump wanted a deal and wanted to restrain Israel. They believed that Israel could not act alone—it relied on the American missile defense infrastructure. They believed that only the United States could prevent Iran from expanding the war—and they believed that Trump did not want escalation.

At first glance, the Iranian reading of the situation seems sound, but they ignored one obvious fact: that everything related to Iran and the US position on it, he and his team (especially Steve Witkoff) coordinate completely with Netanyahu, giving him the first and final say, as is the case in the Gaza negotiations.

The Human Rights and Democracy Media Center (SHAMS) stated that the Israeli occupation army's closure of the occupied Palestinian territories constitutes a flagrant violation of international law. The center stated that the occupation army, in a dangerous escalation, declared the occupied West Bank a "closed military zone," preventing Palestinian citizens from accessing their lands or moving freely within their residential areas, thus closing the doors of daily life in the face of more than three million citizens. This decision, which came without prior announcement and under arbitrary military instructions, is the latest evidence that the occupation's policies have gone beyond the limits of (security) control to impose a reality of overt and systematic apartheid. The matter is no longer limited to military barriers, checkpoints, or concrete walls, but rather extends to depriving Palestinians of their basic rights to life and movement, turning their land into a forbidden zone, as if their very existence has become a military threat.

The Shams Center emphasized that the legal nature of the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, is considered occupied territory under international law, and the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War apply thereto. The Israeli occupation is also subject to obligations under customary international law and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and Israel, as an occupying power, bears direct legal responsibilities towards the civilian population in the territories it occupies.

Shams Center stated that the "military closure" decision violates international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, particularly Article (5) of the Convention, which only allows restrictions on rights on an individual and temporary basis and in specific cases of threat, and does not justify the comprehensive and collective measures imposed by the Israeli occupation on all geographical areas. It also violates Article (27) of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which emphasizes the need to respect the rights and dignity of civilians at all times and guarantees them protection from displacement, exclusion and discriminatory treatment. Declaring populated areas as "military closed" is a direct violation of this protection, and also constitutes a violation of Article (33) of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which explicitly prohibits collective punishment. It also violates Article (49) of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits the forcible transfer and deportation of protected persons, regardless of their motive. This prohibition includes all measures that lead, directly or indirectly, to the displacement of residents from their places of residence, including preventing them from accessing their lands or their normal daily movement, which constitutes a war crime under international law. Declaring a civilian-populated area completely closed and denying them movement, without discrimination or judicial process, is a clear example of collective punishment.

The military closure decision also constitutes a violation of Article (13) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state. Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.” Article (12) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966 states that “Everyone lawfully within the territory of a State has, within that territory, the right to freedom of movement and freedom to choose his residence.” This right is fundamental and cannot be arbitrarily restricted. Imposing a military embargo on large residential areas and depriving citizens of movement within them is a disproportionate and legally unjustified restriction, and constitutes a violation of this internationally recognized right.

Pointing out that this decision comes within the context of a mentality of collective punishment, without the slightest regard for the international standards governing the relationship between the occupying power and the civilian population. International humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, obliges the occupying power to respect the rights of the civilian population and prohibits the imposition of restrictions on them except in cases of extreme necessity, and on a temporary and proportionate basis. However, what the occupying state is doing today is imposing a permanent reality of siege and embargo, without oversight or accountability.

The Shams Center stated that what is happening in the West Bank today is not a temporary measure within a "security" context, but rather a systematic policy aimed at emptying the land of its inhabitants, isolating them from one another, and destroying the social and economic fabric of the Palestinian people. Therefore, preventing Palestinians from moving within their land is the essence of the occupation and one of the most brutal forms of oppression. No international community that claims to respect human rights can turn a blind eye to these policies, which constitute a crime against humanity, not only because they violate the law, but also because they undermine the foundations of human life.

Shams Center explained that the occupation's policy is no longer hidden from anyone. It has become clear that this policy aims to entrench the reality of slow displacement, fragment Palestinian geography, and isolate villages, camps, and cities from each other within the framework of a long-term settlement plan. This has caused catastrophic psychological and social effects. The feeling of helplessness and loss of control over the simplest details of daily life deepens frustration and despair among Palestinians, and fuels anger and tension among young people who have come to view these measures as an assault on their dignity and humanity. Furthermore, imposing these measures during the summer months, which are a season for social events, summer farming, seasonal events, community activities, and family travel, has increased the severity of isolation and shrinkage within villages, cities, and camps.

This, coupled with the increased military presence around Palestinian cities, villages, and camps, has made access to work, educational institutions, and health centers a daily struggle. Palestinian lives are now at the mercy of military decisions, enforced through repression and collective punishment. This announcement has disrupted education in many areas, with thousands of university students unable to reach their universities. Meanwhile, medical procedures and patient transport have been suspended in many hospitals due to road closures and ambulances being hounded by occupation forces.

In its press release, the Shams Center called on the international community, primarily the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the European Union, and all states party to the Geneva Conventions, to assume their legal and moral responsibilities towards the Palestinian people and take urgent action to put an end to the military closure measures imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities in the occupied West Bank. The Center stated that this silence on these grave violations, or limiting itself to verbal condemnation, amounts to indirect complicity and encourages the occupation authorities to proceed with their colonial policies. It also called for the activation of all international pressure and accountability mechanisms, including referring these violations to the International Criminal Court and sending UN investigation missions to investigate Israeli violations against the Palestinian people.

For the second consecutive day, Israeli occupation forces continue to impose arbitrary measures at their military checkpoints at the entrances and exits of the governorates in the West Bank, closing most of the gates to villages and towns.

Ramallah and Al-Bireh:

The Israeli occupation forces tightened their military measures at the entrances to the cities of Ramallah and Al-Bireh, and several areas in the governorate, by setting up military checkpoints and closing gates.

Local sources reported that the occupation forces set up a military checkpoint at the entrance to the city of Rawabi, northwest of Ramallah, and closed the Ein Siniya and Atara checkpoints to the north with iron gates, as well as the iron gate at the northern entrance to the city of Al-Bireh.

The Israeli occupation forces also closed the Jaba' checkpoint, north of occupied Jerusalem, with the iron gate it placed at the military checkpoint at the entrance to the town, as well as the iron gate at the Karamelo checkpoint, the eastern entrance to the town of Taybeh, east of Ramallah.

Thus, the occupation forces close all entrances and exits to the Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governorate, isolating it from the rest of the West Bank governorates.

Jericho:

The occupation forces stationed at their military checkpoints surrounding the main and secondary entrances to Jericho continued to prevent citizens from leaving the city.

Nablus:

In Nablus Governorate, occupation forces tightened their military measures, erecting military checkpoints around the governorate and closing most of the iron gates at the entrances to villages and towns.

According to local sources, the Deir Sharaf checkpoint is almost completely closed, as are the Al-Murabba'a and Awarta checkpoints to the south, Beit Furik checkpoints to the east, and the Yatma, Aqraba, and Za'tara checkpoints to the south.

Tubas:

Israeli occupation forces tightened their military measures at the Tayasir and Hamra military checkpoints in the northern Jordan Valley on Saturday.

Local sources reported that the occupation forces continued to close the two checkpoints for the second consecutive day, preventing civilian movement. The two checkpoints have been subject to repeated military restrictions and closures for more than two years.

Salfit:

The occupation forces continue to tighten their military measures around Salfit Governorate, closing the northern entrance to Salfit, and the entrances to Bruqin, Qaraweh, Haris, Kafr Haris, Deir Istiya, Kafr Ad-Dik, Yasuf, Marda Sharqiya, and Marda Gharbiyya.

Qalqilya:

The occupation forces continue to tighten their military measures around Qalqilya Governorate.

Israeli occupation forces continue to close the eastern entrance to Qalqilya, along with the entrances to the villages east of the city, namely Nabi Elias, Imatin, and Al-Funduq-Hajjah, with iron gates. They prevent citizens from traveling and fire live ammunition at any citizen who attempts to approach the checkpoints or walk near them.

Khalil:

Israeli occupation forces have tightened their restrictions on residents of the Hebron Governorate, closing checkpoints at the entrances to the governorate's towns and villages and preventing citizens from traveling into or out of the city.

The number of barriers and iron gates installed by the occupation army in the West Bank reached 898 military barriers and iron gates, including 18 iron gates installed by the occupation since the beginning of the current year 2025, including (146) iron gates installed by the occupation after October 7, 2023, according to the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission.

Single:

Israeli occupation forces installed a new iron gate at the northern entrance to the town of Sinjil, north of Ramallah. This is the only entrance to the town.

Activist Ayed Ghafri reported that the occupation forces closed the road and installed a gate in the "Al-Muhawwal" area, completely isolating the town and preventing entry or exit. This comes months after installing a red iron gate at the eastern entrance to the town. Thus, the town is now surrounded by two iron gates and a fence that has been in place for months.

This measure comes as part of the occupation authorities' policy of collective punishment against the town's residents, amid residents' fears that this closure could herald a long-term closure.

At least 17 civilians were killed and others injured on Saturday in Israeli shelling east of Gaza City, the Sudanese area in the north, and Khan Yunis in the south of the Strip.

Local sources reported that Israeli "Quadcopter" drones targeted a group of citizens in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood east of Gaza City, killing four.

It added that the occupation forces' artillery fired shells and machine guns at civilians waiting for aid in the vicinity of the "Sudaniya" area, northwest of Gaza, killing 12 civilians and wounding approximately 50 others.

A citizen was killed as a result of the occupation's artillery shelling of the eastern areas of Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip.

Medical sources at Nasser Medical Complex reported that 40 civilians were killed as a result of Israeli airstrikes on Khan Yunis since dawn today.

Two senior Iranian generals were killed in Israeli strikes, Iranian state television reported Saturday, as Israel continues its aggression against Iran's military and nuclear capabilities.

Iranian television reported: "The martyrdom of Major General Gholamreza Mahraby, head of intelligence in the Iranian General Staff, and Major General Mehdi Rabbani, deputy chief of operations in the General Staff."

Katz threatens Tehran

Iranian state television announced the deaths of three additional nuclear scientists in Israeli attacks, bringing the total number of scientists killed in strikes since Friday to nine.

"Three of the country's nuclear scientists, Ali Baghaei Karimi, Mansour Asghari, and Saeed Borji, were martyred in the Zionist entity's terrorist attacks," state television reported, while Iranian media had previously reported that six scientists were killed in the Israeli strikes.

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz vowed that "Tehran will burn" if Iran launches new missiles at Tel Aviv, after the Islamic Republic responded to Israeli strikes overnight with ballistic missiles.

Katz added, "The Iranian dictator is turning Iranian citizens into hostages, creating a reality that will force them, especially the residents of Tehran, to pay a heavy price for the criminal harm inflicted on Israeli civilians."

Katz warned that "if (Iranian Supreme Leader Ali) Khamenei continues to fire missiles at the Israeli home front, Tehran will burn."

Iranian news agencies Fars and Mehr reported that new Israeli strikes today targeted the city of Tabriz and areas in the provinces of Lorestan, Hamadan, and Kermanshah in western and northwestern Iran.

The Israeli army said in a statement that its air forces "continue to strike dozens of surface-to-surface missile launchers in Iran."

He added that his air force struck "dozens of targets, including surface-to-air missile infrastructure, overnight as part of efforts to damage the Iranian regime's air defense capabilities in the Tehran area."

Marches in the Galilee

The Israeli military also announced on Saturday that it had intercepted two drones in the Upper Galilee region near the southern Lebanese border, while Iranian media reported that air defenses had shot down "Israeli spy planes that had penetrated the country's airspace."

The Israeli military said in a statement on Twitter: "The air force intercepted two drones," adding: "In continuation of the alerts that were activated between 08:58 and 09:01 (GMT+3) in the Upper Galilee region, the air force intercepted two drones launched towards the country's territory."

The Israeli military stated that warnings were activated regarding the launch of rockets and shells "due to fears of falling shrapnel resulting from the interception operation." Shortly before, sirens sounded in the Upper Galilee region and Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel.

In this context, the Israeli army said in a statement on Twitter: "Following the alerts activated in the Judea and Dead Sea regions (southeast of the occupied West Bank), air force forces intercepted a number of drones launched toward the country."

Iran shoots down Israeli drones

For its part, the semi-official Iranian Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian military Arash suicide drones "managed, minutes ago, to hit specific targets deep within the occupied territories and completely destroy them."

She stated that this comes "within the framework of the operation carried out by the Iranian army in response to the Zionist entity's aggression."

Iran's official news agency, IRNA, reported that Iranian air defenses shot down "Israeli spy planes that had violated the country's airspace" at dawn on Saturday.

She said that Iranian television reported that the Israeli drones were intended to carry out espionage and surveillance operations and were "shot down."

The Iranian Police Information Center also announced, early Saturday morning, that border guards destroyed five drones in the northwest of the country, including one in Urmia, three in Ardabil, and one in Marivan, according to the IRNA news agency.

Since dawn on Friday, Israel, with tacit US support, launched a massive attack on Iran with dozens of fighter jets, dubbed "Operation Rising Lion." During the attack, Israel bombed nuclear facilities and missile bases in various areas, assassinating prominent military leaders and nuclear scientists. That evening, Iran began responding to the attack with a series of ballistic missile and drone strikes. On Saturday morning, the Israeli ambulance service announced that the Iranian attacks had resulted in "three deaths and 172 injuries, including serious and 16 moderate injuries."

Source: Al Arabiya TV

The Times of Israel reported, citing military officials, that the Israeli Air Force has not yet been able to strike all of Iran's nuclear facilities, with the strikes expected to continue for days.

Officials added that the military's efforts to weaken Iran's ballistic missile system will continue.

The newspaper also quoted the Israeli Air Force as saying, "The operation against Iran is progressing well according to plan, and we are preparing for further escalation." The newspaper added that Israeli fighter jets can now fly over Tehran, emphasizing the importance of this.

The Israeli Air Force reported that Iran's ability to launch missiles will gradually decline over time.

Iranian media reported that Iranian special forces captured an Israeli pilot after his plane was shot down. The Iranian military previously confirmed that it had targeted an Israeli F-35 fighter jet in the west of the country, and that the pilot had ejected. Meanwhile, Israeli attacks on various areas in Iran continue.

The Iranian military announced on Friday that "the army's air defense forces successfully hit and destroyed two Israeli F-35 fighter jets and a large number of drones."

According to the Iranian News Agency (IRNA), the fate of the Israeli pilots is unknown and is being investigated.

In contrast, an Israeli official denied that Iran had shot down two Israeli warplanes, as reported, describing the matter as "fake news."

"The current reports of two Israeli warplanes being shot down are fake news," the official, who requested anonymity, told AFP.

Israel continued its extensive attacks on Iran on Saturday, with Iranian state television reporting that the army "managed to shoot down Israeli drones that violated the country's airspace in the Salmas border area."

The same source added that "the drones entered Iranian airspace on espionage and reconnaissance missions." Tasnim News Agency also quoted the deputy governor of Lorestan as saying that Iranian forces shot down four Israeli drones and small aircraft in the airspace of the Khorramabad region.

Source: Al Jazeera + Iranian press

The Israeli military said it had eliminated nine prominent scientists and experts in Iran's nuclear program.

The army added that the scientists and experts were contributing to the Iranian regime's plan to acquire nuclear weapons.

Iranian media reported that three other nuclear scientists were killed in the Israeli attacks on Iran: Ali Bakayi Karimi, Mansour Askari, and Saeed Borji.

Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported that three members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard were killed in Zanjan province during Israeli attacks on the province.

An Iranian military spokesman stated that missile attacks on Israel would be 20 times more intense than previous attacks, while an Iranian military source said that the war would expand in the coming days to include US bases in the region.

Iran's Fars News Agency quoted a military source it described as "informed" as saying that the war, which began with Israeli attacks, will expand in the coming days to include all occupied territories and US bases in the region.

He added, "The aggressors will be the target of our decisive and widespread response," stressing that military leaders confirm that the confrontation will not be limited to the limited actions carried out last night.

The absolute military source also said that the Iranian strikes "will continue and will be extremely painful for the aggressors and will make them regret it."

In the same context, Mehr News Agency reported that Iran has informed Washington, Paris, and London of expanding attacks on Israel.

According to what Reuters reported, citing Iranian state media on Saturday, Iran warned the United States, Britain, and France that their bases and ships in the region would be targeted if they helped counter Tehran's attacks on Israel.

Iran's National Security Council announced that it held a meeting yesterday ahead of Iran's response to Israel, and "reviewed plans to continue responding to any enemy aggression."

The Israeli Home Front Command said Saturday morning that a sixth batch of missiles was launched from Iran, targeting large areas of Israel. The Iranian attacks, in the latest toll, left three Israelis dead, two of whom were killed in a shelling of the city of Rishon LeZion, south of Tel Aviv, while an Israeli woman was killed in an Iranian missile attack in the city of Ramat Gan early Saturday morning. The number of injured reached about 90 Israelis, amid talk of unprecedented destruction in the greater Tel Aviv area.

Source: Al Jazeera + Agencies + Iranian Press

A young man was shot with live ammunition on Saturday during a raid by Israeli undercover forces on the town of Qabatiya, south of Jenin.

Local sources reported that special forces ("musta'ribun") stormed the town and surrounded the perimeter of a house in the Jalameh neighborhood, while the Israeli occupation army dispatched large military reinforcements to the town from the Dotan military checkpoint, amidst the hovering of drones.

The Red Crescent Society reported that its crews in Jenin responded to a young man's hand injury sustained during an Israeli occupation forces raid on the town of Qabatiya.

Israeli occupation forces launched a massive arrest campaign in the town, particularly in the western neighborhood, raiding and searching a number of homes. Israeli soldiers also fired sound bombs extensively.

This morning, occupation forces stormed the town of Al-Seera Al-Harithiya, raided a number of homes, and destroyed and damaged their contents, without reporting any arrests.

The occupation has intensified its raids on towns and villages in Jenin Governorate since the start of the aggression on the city and camp of Jenin, which has entered its 145th day. It has raided shops and homes of citizens, and launched campaigns of detention and arrests against citizens.

China's Ambassador to the United Nations, Fu Cong, said that China condemns Israel's violations of Iran's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, and urges it to immediately cease all dangerous military actions.

"China opposes the escalation of tension and the expansion of the conflict, and is deeply concerned about the consequences that may result from Israel's actions," Fu was quoted as saying by China's Xinhua News Agency on Saturday during a UN Security Council meeting to discuss the situation in the Middle East.

He also expressed China's grave concern about the negative impact of recent developments on diplomatic negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue.

Israel launched large-scale strikes on Iran early Friday morning, declaring it the beginning of a long-term operation to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Iran responded last night with retaliatory airstrikes, during which explosions were heard in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Israel's two largest cities. China issued warnings to its citizens in Israel and Iran regarding the "complex and grave" security situation in both countries, and alerted those in Israel to prepare for the possibility of missile and drone attacks.

A 16-year-old child was injured by Israeli occupation forces' bullets in Tulkarm camp.

The Red Crescent Society said in a brief statement on Saturday that its crews received a child injured by live ammunition in the leg and that he was taken to the hospital.

Despite the unprecedented destruction caused by Iranian ballistic missiles in Tel Aviv, as acknowledged by Israeli media, they will not erase the shock of Israel's preemptive strike on Iranian targets. The strike targeted nuclear facilities, nuclear scientists, and military leaders, who were assassinated in their bedrooms. The strike was based on intelligence information that constituted a major breach of Iranian security, which was supposedly fully prepared to confront potential threats after negotiations with the United States reached a dead end.

Israel would not have dared to launch these strikes had it not received an American green light, as well as logistical and intelligence assistance to persuade Iran to soften its position on the issue of uranium enrichment on its territory. This is the knot that Trump resorted to solving with Israeli teeth, instead of stalling in the diplomatic maze that would have given Tehran the time out to enable it to stand on the nuclear threshold, which it is now two months or less away from reaching.

With the ongoing conflict between Tel Aviv and Tehran, the situation appears poised to spiral out of control, potentially drawing the United States into the conflict itself. This has prompted Netanyahu to wage a proxy war, leaving the situation open to all possibilities, including the use of unconventional weapons that would have disastrous consequences for the entire region.

Netanyahu is dragging Israel and the region into dangerous situations for ideological and personal reasons, driven by expansionist tendencies and dreams of control. Iran, which possesses missiles capable of evading Israeli defense walls, could curb the rampage of the unleashed wolf and rationalize its madness, which has surpassed all limits. This is especially true given that buildings have collapsed, and entire floors have been destroyed in the Tel Aviv area, for the first time in the history of its wars, and rescue teams are searching for missing persons under the rubble.

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz accused Iran of crossing red lines by targeting the home front, noting that Israeli strikes will continue to "eliminate threats." This follows Iranian attacks that caused deaths and widespread destruction in response to ongoing Israeli aggression.

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said on Saturday that the Iranian regime "crossed a red line by firing at the Israeli home front," adding that Tehran "will pay a heavy price."

This came in a statement issued by Katz at the conclusion of a security assessment session with the IDF Home Front Command. He said, "The central conclusion is that the residents' adherence to the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities saved many lives and reduced the extent of the damage."

Katz stressed the need to "continue to adhere to the instructions issued by official authorities."

He added, "It is worth noting the responsible management of the heads of local authorities, who work in coordination with the relevant authorities in their towns."

The Defense Minister noted that "our forces continue to attack Iran and strike strategic targets according to pre-planned planning, inflicting significant damage to Iranian capabilities and eliminating threats to the State of Israel."

This comes in the wake of waves of Iranian attacks on Israel that have killed at least three people, injured dozens, and caused total or partial damage to hundreds of residential apartments, particularly in the Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan areas.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Friday the postponement of a high-level UN conference on a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians, scheduled for next week, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East after Israel launched an unprecedented attack on Iran early Friday morning.

France and Saudi Arabia were scheduled to co-chair the conference hosted by the UN General Assembly in New York from June 17 to 20, and Macron was among the leaders scheduled to attend. The Palestinian Authority expressed hope that the conference would revive the long-stalled peace process, according to the Associated Press.

Macron expressed his "determination to recognize the State of Palestine" at some point, despite the postponement. France has sought a broader move toward recognizing a Palestinian state in parallel with recognizing Israel and its right to defend itself.

Following the Israeli strikes on Iran on Friday, Macron said that French military forces throughout the Middle East are ready to help protect partners in the region, including Israel, but will not participate in any attacks on Iran, according to the agency.

Macron told reporters that the two-state solution conference had been postponed for logistical and security reasons, and because some Palestinian representatives were unable to attend. He insisted that it would be held "as soon as possible" and that he was in discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about a new date.

The French and Saudi ambassadors to the United Nations stated in a letter to the 193 UN member states that the postponement "is due to current circumstances in the Middle East that prevent regional leaders from attending the conference in New York," according to the Washington Post.

French Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont and Saudi Ambassador Abdulaziz Alwasil said the conference would open on June 17 in the General Assembly Hall, but only to propose and approve its suspension. They invited all countries to attend the opening, according to the newspaper.

"We are determined to resume the conference as soon as possible," the ambassadors said.

Macron emphasized that the goal of the conference "is to establish a demilitarized Palestinian state that recognizes the existence and security of Israel." He added that any such state would exclude any Hamas leaders. Macron said that the Israeli-Iranian conflict, the war in Gaza, and the situation of Palestinians in the region are all "interconnected."

On Friday, Macron spoke with 10 world leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, about the Israeli strikes on Iran and their consequences.

One of the goals of the UN conference was to increase the number of countries recognizing the Palestinian territories as an independent state. To date, more than 145 of the 193 UN member states have recognized it. The Palestinians see their state as including Gaza and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The battle between Israel and Iran has escalated with missile attacks targeting the heart of Israel, while Tel Aviv has announced the continuation of its operations against military facilities and bases inside Iran.

Iran targeted cities and areas in Israel last night as part of Operation True Promise 3, killing three people, wounding dozens, and destroying hundreds of residential apartments, according to Israeli medical teams. The attacks reportedly focused on military installations and security headquarters in Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan, located in the middle of residential areas. Air raid sirens sounded across the country, sending residents into shelters as Israeli attacks on Iran continue.

These strikes come amid the escalating military confrontation between Israel and Iran, which began early Thursday morning after Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, which included airstrikes on nuclear and military facilities in Iran, and the assassinations of senior military and Revolutionary Guard commanders and nuclear scientists. Tel Aviv announced that the operation aims to "weaken and destroy Iran's missile and nuclear capabilities."

Israeli army: We intercepted a number of drones in the Dead Sea area.

The Israeli military announced Saturday that it had intercepted a number of drones in the Dead Sea area, in light of its ongoing aggression against Iran. Air raid sirens sounded throughout Israel after drones were detected coming from Iran.

The Israeli military reported that it was intercepting Iranian drones after air raid sirens sounded in the Dead Sea area.

The Trump administration missed a Friday morning deadline to appeal the release of Mahmoud Khalil from the Louisiana detention center where he has been held since March 8, prompting lawyers for the Palestinian student activist at Columbia University to demand his immediate release. On Wednesday, New Jersey federal judge Michael Farbiarz granted Khalil's request to block the government from detaining and deporting him—for now—based on Secretary of State Marco Rubio's ruling that his advocacy for the Palestinian cause harms a "compelling" U.S. foreign policy interest, namely U.S. support for Israel.

The judge said the order would not take effect until 9:30 a.m. on Friday, giving the government time to file a notice of appeal to challenge his decision, a deadline that has passed.

Khalil noted in a press statement that the US administration's deadline has passed, and Mahmoud Khalil must be released immediately. Anything else is an attempt to prolong his unconstitutional, arbitrary, and cruel detention.

It is also noted that in the filings in which the lawyers asked the judge to order his release, they stated that "the government did not file a notice of appeal against this court's order before the deadline set by the court for the initial injunction to take effect. The government also did not state that Mr. Khalil was being detained for any reason other than the reason [prohibited] by the court."

The lawyers attached their email correspondence with Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Thursday, in which the agency's New Orleans field director said they had "no information" about Khalil's release or a timeline.

After submitting the files on Friday morning, Farbiarz gave the government until 1:30 p.m. to respond.

The government has not yet commented on the demand for Mahmoud Khalil's release, although in a statement issued Wednesday, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin indicated that the government would appeal Farbiarz's order, saying it "delays justice and seeks to undermine Trump's constitutional powers."

McLaughlin added that the green card is a privilege that should be revoked for people who support terrorist activity, an allegation the Trump administration has leveled against Khalil without any evidence.

The 30-year-old Palestinian graduate student and legal permanent resident has been detained in Jena, Louisiana, since March 9, the day after he was detained by Department of Homeland Security agents at his Columbia-owned apartment. In the weeks since, the government has invoked an obscure provision of the 1952 Immigration Act, which states that the Secretary of State can order the deportation of a person if their beliefs might adversely affect the foreign relations of the United States. This is the government's policy to combat anti-Semitism. Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian who grew up in a Syrian refugee camp, rejects the notion that his advocacy for civilians in the war-torn Gaza and West Bank is motivated by bigotry.

His lawyers pointed to public statements he made long before his arrest, in which he condemned anti-Semitism.

Farbiarz's opinion and order issued Wednesday concluded that his detention endangers his reputation and right to freedom of expression.

"The court finds, in effect, that Khalil's career and reputation are being harmed, and that his freedom of expression is being stifled, adding to the already irreparable harm," Farbiarz wrote on Wednesday.

The government also cited another basis for Khalil's deportation, alleging that he failed to accurately complete residency forms when applying for residency. Farbiarz noted Wednesday that the government "almost never" detains people based on such claims, and that Khalil's continued detention is, by all accounts, driven by Rubio's unconstitutional policies. The student activist, whose American wife accepted his degree from Columbia University on his behalf last month, is fighting for his detention and deportation in a writ of mandamus filed in New Jersey, where he was quickly transferred after being detained.

Mahmoud Khalil played a prominent role in campus protests against Israeli military activity in Gaza and the West Bank and Columbia University's financial ties to Israel, serving as a mediator between students and the school administration.

Separately, he faced immigration proceedings in Louisiana, where Judge Jimmy Comans sided with the government in ordering his deportation. Before a hearing in that case last month, where Khalil and other witnesses sought to convince Comans that his deportation could lead to his death, he met his one-month-old son, Dean, for the first time, who was born weeks after his detention.

Iranian state television announced on Friday that it had launched 100 hypersonic missiles toward Israel, as part of Tehran's response to Tel Aviv's attack on it.

For its part, IRNA announced the launch of hundreds of ballistic missiles towards Israel.

The Israeli military announced that it had detected missile launches from Iran toward the Jewish state and ordered all residents to head to bomb shelters and fortified rooms.

The army said in a statement that it "detected missile launches from Iran toward Israeli territory, where air defense systems are operating to intercept threats," urging residents to head to shelters "and remain there until further notice."

The Israeli military said that "all of Israel is under fire as Iran launches missiles." Shortly after the Israeli announcement, AFP journalists heard air raid sirens and explosions in the skies over Jerusalem, and plumes of smoke rose over Tel Aviv.

Five civilians, including three children, were injured Friday evening when a rocket fell near the town of Sa'ir, north of Hebron.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said its crews transported five citizens, including three children aged 6, 7, and 12, to the hospital after they were injured by shrapnel from a rocket that fell in the town of Sa'ir.

Two civilians were killed and others injured on Friday in an Israeli airstrike on a tent housing displaced persons in the town of Al-Qarara, north of Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip.

The bodies of nine martyrs, killed in the Israeli bombing of the city this morning, arrived at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip.

Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat also announced the arrival of the body of a martyr and 13 wounded as a result of two Israeli airstrikes on the central Gaza Strip.

Israeli warplanes launched an airstrike on the eastern areas of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported, amidst a lack of response from ambulance and rescue crews due to the disruption of all internet and landline services after the occupation targeted communications infrastructure.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel, the occupying power, has been waging a war of genocide in Gaza, including killing, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement, ignoring all international calls and orders from the International Court of Justice to halt it.

The genocide left more than 182,000 dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 11,000 missing. Hundreds of thousands were displaced, and a famine claimed the lives of many, including children.

Jordan, Iraq, and Syria announced on Friday the closure of their airspace following Israeli strikes on Iran.

The Jordanian Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission said in a statement: "The Kingdom's airspace has been temporarily closed, and air traffic has been suspended for all incoming, outgoing, and transiting aircraft, in anticipation of any risks that may arise from the ongoing escalation in the region."

The Jordanian government confirmed on Friday that Jordan would not allow the use of its airspace and would not "be an arena for any conflict" following the Israeli strikes on Iran, anticipating a retaliation from the latter.

Dozens of missiles and drones launched by Iran against Israel in October 2024 were intercepted in Jordanian airspace. Government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani told Agence France-Presse that "the Kingdom has not and will not allow its airspace to be violated, and it will not be a battleground for any conflict."

The Iraqi Ministry of Transport also confirmed a complete suspension of air traffic at all Iraqi airports and the temporary closure of Iraqi airspace to ensure the safety of travelers amid regional security tensions.

The official Iraqi News Agency quoted a statement from the Ministry of Transport as saying, "Due to regional tensions, Iraqi air traffic has been suspended and Iraqi airspace closed until further notice, in order to preserve the safety of civil aviation in Iraqi airspace."

The statement added, "The General Company for Air Navigation Services has begun gradually clearing Iraqi airspace of incoming, outgoing, and transiting aircraft, in order to preserve the safety of passengers arriving at Iraqi airports, as well as aircraft transiting our airspace."

For its part, Syria announced on Friday a "temporary" closure of its airspace amid regional tensions following extensive Israeli strikes on Iran.

"We announce the temporary closure of Syrian airspace until 3:00 p.m. today, Damascus time, as part of the precautionary measures we are taking to ensure the safety of civil aviation amid current regional developments," said Ashhad al-Salibi, head of the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority, in statements carried by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

Israel launched large-scale strikes on Iran on Friday, saying it targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories, and military leaders, and that this was the beginning of a "prolonged operation" to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Iranian media and witnesses reported explosions, including at the main Natanz uranium enrichment facility, while Israel declared a state of emergency in anticipation of Iranian retaliation with missile and drone strikes.

US President Donald Trump told ABC News that his administration gave the Iranians an opportunity, but they failed to take advantage and suffered a very severe blow, stressing that there is more to come.

Speaking to the network, Trump described the attack on Iran as "excellent."

Asked about any American role in the attack on Iran, he said, "I don't want to answer that."

Trump announced that he had given Iran one chance after another to strike a deal, but Tehran had not responded, and he said that things were only going to get worse.

Trump wrote in a post on his platform, Truth Social: “I told them, in the strongest words, ‘Just do it.’ But no matter how hard they tried, and no matter how close they came, they could not get a deal done.”

"I told them (the Iranians) that if they didn't make a deal, it would be far worse than anything they knew, expected, or were told," he continued, referring to the possibility of a strike against them.

He added that he told them, “The United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the world, by a wide margin, and that Israel has a lot of it, with more to come, and they know how to use it.”

He noted that "some Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didn't know what was coming. They're all dead now, and it's only going to get worse!" adding, "There has already been massive death and destruction, but there is still time to end this carnage, with upcoming attacks already planned that will be even more brutal."

Israel launched an attack today (Friday) as part of Operation Rising Lion, aimed at striking the nuclear and military programs across Iran. The attack resulted in the deaths of senior commanders in the Iranian armed forces and the destruction of a major uranium enrichment facility in the center of the country. Tel Aviv described the operation as "precise and preemptive."

Israel declared a state of emergency due to expectations of an Iranian response "in the very near future," while the United States announced that it was not involved in these attacks. The strikes also targeted Iran's main uranium enrichment facilities. The commander of the Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, and the Chief of Staff, Mohammad Bagheri, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tehran early this morning. The death of Major General Gholam Ali Rashid, the commander of the Joint Operations Room of the General Staff, was also confirmed.

Haaretz newspaper confirmed on Friday that senior Israeli security sources revealed that the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad, had established a military base inside Iran prior to the airstrikes carried out early Friday morning, where explosive drones smuggled into Iran long ago were stored. These drones were used in attacks on Iranian military and nuclear facilities.

The sources added that Mossad had worked for years alongside the Israeli military to gather accurate intelligence in preparation for this massive strike, which they described as "destructive." They noted that the attack was launched with the activation of internal systems already in place within Iran.

The sources said that Mossad commando teams operated in central Iran, deploying operational systems for precision-guided weapons in open areas, close to Iranian surface-to-air missile systems, with the aim of completely neutralizing them before the arrival of warplanes.

long-term planning

Haaretz quoted the sources as confirming that vehicles inside Iran were equipped with advanced offensive systems and technologies, which were used to dismantle Iran's air defense capabilities, enabling Israeli aircraft to carry out their mission without effective resistance.

The report indicated that this operation was not a spur-of-the-moment operation, but rather the result of long-term planning and years of intelligence gathering, including detailed dossiers on prominent figures in the Iranian defense establishment, nuclear scientists, and Tehran's strategic missile infrastructure.

Israeli warplanes launched extensive attacks on Iran at dawn on Friday, hitting numerous sites in the capital, Tehran, and other cities, including Natanz and Tabriz.

Israeli military spokesman Avi Dvrin announced that the military strikes hit more than 100 targets in Iran overnight, adding that 200 fighter jets participated in the attack.

Targeting leaders and headquarters

Among the most prominent targets targeted were the headquarters of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Tehran, where the commander-in-chief of the IRGC, Major General Hossein Salami, was killed, and military bases around Tehran, including IRGC bases.

This is in addition to the Shahrak Shahid Mahallati complex, located in northeastern Tehran, a fortified residential complex housing senior Revolutionary Guard commanders.

The headquarters of the General Command of the Armed Forces, "Khatim al-Anbiya", was also targeted.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Iranian media announced the deaths of a number of military commanders and scholars in the attack. Khamenei confirmed that "their successors and colleagues will immediately resume their duties."

Among the most prominent of those killed in the Israeli attack were, in addition to Revolutionary Guards Commander-in-Chief Hossein Salami, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri. They also included the commander of the Khatam al-Anbia military headquarters, which is part of the General Staff, Major General Gholam Ali Rashid; Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari, a professor of nuclear engineering; and nuclear experts Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi.

Meanwhile, Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported that the Israeli attacks killed six Iranian nuclear scientists.

Meanwhile, Iranian media reported that Abdolrahim Mousavi was appointed Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces by order of the Supreme Leader. Major General Mohammad Pakpour was also appointed Commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

Source: Haaretz + agencies

Amin Al-Hajj

Western attitudes, particularly European ones, have witnessed a noticeable shift towards the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza, compared to the early stages of the aggression. While Western reactions at the beginning of the war were characterised by almost absolute support for the aggression under the banner of the "right to self-defence", more "cautious" and even "critical" positions later emerged from some Western countries and institutions. What led to this relative change in Western political and media discourse regarding the aggression on Gaza?

First, the impact of mounting popular pressure in many Western countries cannot be denied. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets in solidarity with Gaza, particularly in Britain, France, Germany, and Spain, demanding an end to the aggression and the ongoing massacre and starvation of civilians. This popular pressure has prompted some politicians to reconsider their policies, not because of a change in convictions, but rather to avoid losing domestic support, especially in light of the rise of youth movements advocating for justice, human rights, and freedom for Palestine.

Secondly, media coverage, especially social media, has contributed to exposing Israeli crimes in an unprecedented manner. It has become difficult to justify or cover up the bombing of hospitals and schools, despite the media efforts of the occupation army and the videos being produced and published, which no longer convince global public opinion. This has made Western public opinion more aware of the scale of the human tragedy and has reduced the ability of Western governments to market the traditional Israeli narrative without question or criticism. This narrative appears divided between those advancing a more strident discourse regarding the aggression, and others losing their ability to impose a unified Western discourse. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the Israeli "victim" discourse has declined in the face of live images of the massacres and the inflammatory statements issued by Israeli ministers and officials, which has exacerbated this decline.

Third, international organizations such as UN agencies, the International Court of Justice, and the International Criminal Court began to point to the "possibility" of war crimes and crimes against humanity being committed in Gaza. This increased the political and diplomatic "embarrassment" of Western governments, which continued to supply the occupation with weapons and political support, and even obstructed UN resolutions calling for an end to the aggression. This coincided with critical positions from Western intellectual, cultural, and academic elites, who became more daring in questioning Israeli policies and Western double standards.

Fourth, the limits of "Israeli exceptionalism" have become clear in light of international law. Silence or justification are now morally unacceptable in light of the documentation of crimes occurring in full view of the world, from systematic displacement and starvation, to the cutting off of supplies to besieged populations, the disruption of the humanitarian system, and the failure of the "alternative" mechanism, which has become another weapon of murder in battle or a trap for those seeking aid and relief. This amounts to the use of starvation as a weapon of war under international law.

Fifth, this shift cannot be separated from deeper dynamics, including the waning internal European consensus on support for the occupation, and some governments beginning to recalculate their positions in light of geopolitical shifts and the declining importance of the Middle East as a security or economic priority for the West.

Although this shift remains limited and falls short of a firm stance demanding an end to the aggression or holding the occupation's leaders accountable, it does—in general—reflect a rift in the traditional Western discourse on "Israeli democracy" and the "security threat."

It is important to emphasize that this shift in Western attitudes toward Gaza was not a sudden outburst of sympathy, but rather the result of the accumulated struggles and efforts of hundreds of thousands of free people around the world, as well as the role of Arab and Muslim communities in the West, through popular, media, and legal pressure. It is a preliminary indication of a deeper shift in global political awareness toward the essence of the Zionist project, with its colonialist, subjugating nature, and the stereotypical image with which it has been portrayed in the Western and global imagination over the course of more than eight decades.

The Israeli military said that Iran launched 100 drones into Israel and that they are being dealt with. This follows the large-scale attack launched by Israel early Friday morning, targeting nuclear sites inside Iran and killing senior military commanders and nuclear scientists.

Israeli military spokesman Avi Deveren told reporters Friday morning that Israel faces "difficult hours," anticipating an Iranian military response to the Israeli attack.

The spokesman added that 200 fighter jets participated in the attack on Iran, striking approximately 100 targets in various Iranian regions. He also said that 300 bombs were used in the attacks. He noted that warplanes "continue to attack" nuclear facilities in Iran.

Early Friday morning, Israel launched large-scale strikes on Iran, claiming to have targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories, and military leaders. This marks the beginning of a lengthy operation to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Iranian media and witnesses reported explosions at sites including the main Natanz uranium enrichment facility, while Israel declared a state of emergency in anticipation of an Iranian response with missile and drone strikes.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Iranian media subsequently announced the deaths of a number of leaders and scientists in the Israeli attack, including Revolutionary Guard Commander Hossein Salami, Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Commander of the Khatam al-Anbia Military Headquarters Major General Gholam Ali Rashid, and a number of nuclear scientists.

Khamenei threatened Israel with severe punishment, saying, "With this crime, the Zionist entity has prepared for itself a bitter and painful fate, and it will inevitably meet it." In this context, the spokesman for the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces said that the United States and Israel will pay the price, and vowed a harsh response to Israeli attacks.

Source: Al Jazeera + Agencies

Israeli occupation forces closed the entrances to the city of Jericho and the Karameh crossing, east of the West Bank, at dawn on Friday.

Sources reported that the occupation forces closed the entrances leading to the city of Jericho and from there to the Karameh crossing (King Hussein Bridge), with iron gates and military checkpoints in both directions, including the military checkpoint erected south of Jericho, the Yellow Gate checkpoint near the Karameh crossing to the east, and the Banana and Al-Hay'a checkpoints north of Jericho.

The Israeli occupation declared a "closure" of the West Bank, coinciding with the Israeli military attack on Iran.

The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution Thursday "demanding an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza war."

The United Nations said in a statement: "Applause erupted in the General Assembly as members adopted the resolution, with 149 out of 193 countries voting in favor, achieving the required two-thirds majority."

12 countries voted against the resolution, and 19 countries abstained.

The statement added: "The United States joined Israel in opposing the text, along with Argentina, Fiji, Hungary, Micronesia, Paraguay, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and Tuvalu."

The resolution strongly condemned "the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare, the unlawful denial of humanitarian aid, and the deprivation of civilians... of objects indispensable to their survival."

The resolution also called on Israel, as "the occupying power," to immediately end the blockade, open all border crossings, and ensure widespread access to aid for the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip.

The resolution strongly condemned "any use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful obstruction of the delivery of humanitarian assistance," and emphasized the duty "not to deprive civilians in the Gaza Strip of objects indispensable to their survival by deliberately obstructing the provision and delivery of relief supplies."

The resolution was titled "Protection of Civilians and Adherence to Legal and Humanitarian Obligations," and included 21 implementing clauses, including a demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups and all arbitrarily detained persons "in a manner that preserves their dignity," and the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2730, which called for—among other things—the return of Palestinians to their homes and neighborhoods and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

The UN statement said, "In its resolution, the General Assembly expressed its support for the United Nations coordinated plan to resume aid delivery, affirmed that UNRWA is the backbone of the humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip, and affirmed its rejection of measures that undermine the implementation of the Agency's mandate entrusted to it by the Assembly."

It stressed the need for accountability "to ensure Israel's respect for its obligations under international law" and called on States to take all necessary measures to ensure Israel's compliance with its obligations. The General Assembly reiterated its commitment to a two-state solution, living side by side in peace and security, with the Gaza Strip "part of the Palestinian State."

The United Nations General Assembly resumed its tenth emergency special session on illegal Israeli actions in the occupied Palestinian territory on Thursday, which was first held in April 1997.

The resumption of this session comes after the United States recently used its veto power against a draft resolution in the Security Council calling for an immediate, permanent, and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, submitted by the ten non-permanent members of the Council.

At the opening of the resumed session, General Assembly President Philomon Yang said that after 20 months of war, "the horrors of Gaza must end," stressing that despite the urgency of the issue, the Security Council "remains paralyzed on this issue and unable to fulfill its responsibility to maintain international peace and security."

"It is unacceptable that innocent civilians, including women and children, continue to be killed with no end in sight, that hostages continue to be held, that civilians are deliberately deprived of food, water and medicine, and that they continue to be forcibly displaced," he said.

Yang emphasized that the General Assembly is called to action today, adding, "We must translate our commitment to the UN Charter, international law, justice, and the dignity and worth of every human being into meaningful action on the ground." He said that these values "are not just lofty ideals. They are the foundation of hope and peace."

For his part, Spain's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Hector José Gómez, reviewed the draft resolution submitted by his country, which he said calls on the parties to the conflict in Gaza to comply with their obligations under international law and "immediately and sustainably facilitate the full, rapid, safe, and unhindered entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, including food, medical supplies, fuel, equipment, shelter, and clean drinking water."

He said the draft resolution also affirms the obligation of parties to armed conflict to respect and protect civilians, and calls on all states to respect and protect humanitarian workers, including United Nations personnel.

He added that the draft resolution categorically rejects "any attempts at demographic change in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank" and condemns all plans for individual or mass forced displacement.

For his part, Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, called on member states to vote in favor of the resolution, saying the world must take all necessary measures to end what he described as "genocide."

He said the international community must ensure that Israel complies with its international obligations as the occupying power to provide humanitarian assistance to all Palestinians, noting that Israel continues to ignore UN resolutions and international humanitarian law.

He expressed his gratitude to all those around the world who have mobilized to end the conflict in Gaza, saying that these people "stand for humanity," and renewed his hope for a two-state solution where Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace and security.

Yemen's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdullah Al-Saadi, spoke on behalf of the Arab Group, expressing his deep appreciation for the swift response to convene the emergency session in light of the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people. He said, "We meet today, once again under the dome of this General Assembly, not to repeat words about the tragedy, but to put an end to the tragedy."

He added that the Arab Group reaffirms that what is happening in the Gaza Strip cannot be considered a conventional armed conflict. Rather, it is a humanitarian crisis that requires urgent and effective action by the United Nations, particularly the General Assembly.

Acting US Ambassador to the United Nations Dorothy Shea criticized the resolution, saying it failed to condemn Hamas. "We do not support unilateral measures that fail to condemn Hamas," she said. Ms. Shea urged support for ongoing diplomatic efforts to release the hostages and for the so-called "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation."

Shea said that sustainable peace will only be achieved through direct negotiations, saying, "This decision does not bring calm to Gaza, nor does it advance a genuine diplomatic solution that advances the cause of peace."

No sooner had the Israeli attack on Iran concluded than reactions began to "condemn" the Israeli military operation "Rising Lion," which targeted military sites, nuclear facilities, Iranian military figures, and nuclear scientists.

Guterres condemns Israeli "military escalation"

UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned Israel's "military escalation" in the Middle East.

Guterres said in a statement through his spokesman that he was "concerned" by Israel's actions "while talks are underway between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran's nuclear program."

"The Secretary-General calls on both sides to exercise maximum restraint and avoid sliding into a deeper conflict, a situation the region cannot tolerate," UN spokesman Farhan Haq said in a statement issued early Friday.

The Sultanate of Oman condemns it and considers it a "dangerous escalation."

In Muscat, the Sultanate of Oman, which is mediating between the United States and Iran in their talks regarding Tehran's nuclear program, strongly condemned the airstrikes launched by Israel on Iran early Friday morning, considering them a "dangerous escalation" that threatens diplomatic efforts.

The Sultanate said in a statement carried by the official news agency that Muscat "holds Israel responsible for this escalation and its repercussions, and calls on the international community to take a clear and firm stance to halt this dangerous approach, which threatens to preclude diplomatic solutions and undermine the security and stability of the region."

Saudi Arabia condemns "blatant Israeli attacks"

Saudi Arabia also condemned on Friday the "blatant Israeli attacks" on Iran, which targeted several cities and nuclear facilities and resulted in the deaths of several military leaders.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli attacks against the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation and contravention of international laws and norms." The statement stressed that "the international community and the Security Council bear a great responsibility to immediately halt this aggression."

Jakarta strongly condemns the Israeli attack on Iran.

In Jakarta, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the Israeli attack on Iran on Friday and urged all parties to exercise restraint.

The Indonesian Foreign Ministry said, "The Israeli attack will exacerbate existing regional tensions and could ignite a wider conflict."

Japan condemns

In Tokyo, Japan's foreign minister said, referring to Israel's attack on Iran, "We strongly condemn this action, which will lead to a deterioration of the situation."

"It is extremely regrettable that military means were used," Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya added.

Trump was informed in advance of the attack.

In Washington, US President Donald Trump confirmed that he was informed in advance of the Israeli strikes on Iran, according to Fox News.

Trump reiterated his position that Tehran cannot possess a nuclear bomb, saying, "Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, and we hope to return to the negotiating table. We'll see," referring to the next round of nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington, which were scheduled for Sunday in Muscat.

Khamenei threatens

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei threatened Israel with severe repercussions after it launched widespread attacks on Iran, including nuclear sites and the capital, Tehran.

"With this crime, the Zionist entity has written itself a bitter and painful fate, and it will certainly meet it," Khamenei said in a statement.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei threatened Israel after it launched violent attacks on his country on Friday, saying it should expect "severe punishment."

Khamenei said, "Israel has written a bitter fate for itself with this attack, and it will certainly meet it."

"The strong hand of our armed forces will not let Israel escape punishment," the Supreme Leader said in a statement. He considered the Israeli attack to have revealed Israel's "vile nature," stressing that many leaders and scholars were killed in the Israeli attack. Iranian military spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi told state television that Israel and the United States "will pay a heavy price" after Israel launched an attack on Iran early Friday morning.

Tasnim News Agency reported that Shekarchi stated that "the Zionist enemy, with the support of America, carried out its aggression and targeted residential areas."

Shekarchi stressed that "the Iranian armed forces' response will be firm and harsh, and there is no doubt that the response is coming."

An Iranian security source told Reuters that his country is planning a "painful response" to the attack launched by Israel.

The source said: "The response to the Israeli attack will be painful and decisive."

Asked whether such a response was imminent, he said the details were "being discussed at the highest levels."

Israel attacked several Iranian cities early Friday, with explosions heard across Tehran. Israel said it targeted nuclear and military sites, nuclear scientists, and military and Revolutionary Guard commanders.

The attack comes as tensions have reached new levels over Tehran's nuclear program.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel had launched a military operation aimed at "defeating the Iranian threat to Israel's existence."