Israel Iran War Highlights: Iran urges West to 'appreciate restraint' towards Israel

Gaza officials say Israel released 150 detainees

Gaza's crossings authority said Israel released around 150 detainees from the Palestinian territory on Monday, alleging that they had been mistreated in detention.

Israeli soldiers have rounded up hundreds of Palestinians during their more than six-month military offensive in Gaza, holding them without charge before releasing some in groups.

The latest detainees to be released were taken to Israel and returned via the Kerem Shalom border crossing before some were treated in a hospital in Rafah, in the south of the besieged territory, according to the Gaza crossings authority and an AFP journalist.

"Since the early hours of the morning, 150 prisoners from various parts of the Gaza Strip who were detained by the Israeli occupation have been released," the spokesman for the Gaza Crossings Authority, Hisham Adwan, told AFP.

"It is very noticeable that there is severe mistreatment of these prisoners, as a number of them were sent to Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital for treatment," he added.

Germany summons Iranian ambassador: govt spokesman

Germany on Monday summoned the Iranian ambassador, a day after Tehran summoned the German, French and British envoys over their countries' response to Iran's missile and drone attack on Israel.

"I can inform you that the Iranian ambassador has been summoned to the foreign ministry this morning and that the talks are currently taking place," a spokesman for the ministry told a regular government press conference, without specifying what issue would be raised. (AFP)

Sent into a tizzy by Iran-Israel tensions, airlines scramble to find safe flight paths

The worsening Iran-Israel conflict has triggered pockets of turbulence in air travel, with Air India tweaking the timings of a few of its ultra-long-haul flights and temporarily suspending sorties to and from Tel Aviv. Read full story

US destroyed dozens of drones, six ballistic missiles aimed at Israel from Iran, Yemen, says its military

Amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, US military said on Monday that they have destroyed more than 80 drones and at least six ballistic missiles aimed at Israel from Iran and Yemen, Al Jazeera reported.

In an official post on X, US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on Monday, "On April 13 and the morning of April 14, US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces, supported by US European Command destroyers, successfully engaged and destroyed more than 80 one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (OWA UAV) and at least six ballistic missiles intended to strike Israel from Iran and Yemen." (ANI)

2024 Iran–Israel conflict Live: Netanyahu rival says Israel lost 'deterrence' against Iran

Israel's opposition leader Yair Lapid on Monday accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government of leading to a "total loss of Israeli deterrence" in the wake of an unprecedented Iranian attack.In a scathing criticism posted on X, former premier Lapid also said that under Netanyahu, "Jewish terrorist violence" against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank was "out of control".Netanyahu, who returned to power in late 2022 at the helm of a coalition with far-right parties, has brought "heaps of destruction from Beeri to Kiryat Shmona", Lapid said, calling for early elections.Beeri, a kibbutz community near the Gaza border, came under attack when Hamas militants stormed the area on October 7, triggering the ongoing war, while the northern town of Kiryat Shmona has suffered during months of cross-border fire between Israeli forces and Lebanon's Hezbollah.

Indian shares fall as Middle East tensions spook investors

Indian shares declined on Monday as investors turned risk-averse after Iran's retaliatory attack on Israel over the weekend spurred fears of a wider regional conflict.

The NSE Nifty 50 fell 1.1% to 22,272.50, while the S&P BSE Sensex lost 1.14% to 73,399.78, at close.

"The escalation in the Iran-Israel conflict is a serious development and Indian markets will be under pressure over the next few sessions," said Samir Bahl, chief executive of investment banking at Anand Rathi Advisors.

The worries in the Middle East have forced investors to look for safer places for their money, according to three analysts.

Both benchmarks dropped about 1% each for two sessions in a row. (Reuters)

Iran’s attack on Israel sparks race to avert a full-blown war

The huge salvo of missiles and drones launched from the arid plains of Iran toward Israel was the kind of direct conflict between the Middle East powers that the world had long feared would mark the explosion of a full-blown regional war. Read full story

2024 Iran–Israel conflict Live: Kremlin urges 'restraint' after Iranian strikes on Israel

EU's Borrell says Middle East on cliff edge, urges Iran-Israel de-escalation

The European Union's foreign policy chief said on Monday the Middle East stood "on the edge of the cliff" and called for de-escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran.

Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday night in response to a suspected Israeli attack on the Tehran's consulate in Damascus that killed seven officers of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards including two senior commanders.

Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the April 1 airstrike on the consulate in Syria's capital.

"We're on the edge of the cliff and we have to move away from it," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told Spanish radio station Onda Cero. "We have to step on the brakes and reverse gear."

Borrell said he expected a response from Israel to the unprecedented aerial attack by Iran but hoped it would not spark further escalation.

He said there was "profound division" within the Israel's right-wing governing coalition between hardliners seeking fierce retaliation and a "more moderate and sensible" faction. (Reuters)

Scholz urges Israel to de-escalate after repelling Iran's attack

Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday urged restraint by Israel after it successfully repelled Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attack."Everyone agrees that the way in which Israel managed to successfully repel this attack... is really impressive," said Scholz, adding that "that is a success that should not be given away, and therefore our advice is to contribute to de-escalation."

Iran says there was no pre-arranged deal regarding Iran's response to Israel

No pre-arranged agreement was made with any country prior to Iran's retaliatory attack against Israel, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said on Monday.

Israel war cabinet to reconvene at 1100 GMT in Iran standoff, according to Reuters

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will at 2 pm (1100 GMT) on Monday reconvene his war cabinet, the forum empowered by other ministers to decide on any action in response to Iran's weekend drone and missile attack, a government source said. The war cabinet, comprising Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, former defence minister Benny Gantz and several observers, previously met on Sunday night, the source said.

UK would consider more sanctions against Iran, says Cameron

Britain would consider more sanctions against Iran, foreign minister David Cameron said on Monday, following its drone and missile attack on Israel.Asked whether the government would consider more sanctions on Iran, Cameron told the BBC: "Yes, absolutely. We already have 400 sanctions on Iran. We put in place a whole new sanctions regime at the end of last year, which is proving very effective.

2024 Iran–Israel conflict Live: Israel vows to press on in Gaza after Iran attack

Israel launched dozens of air strikes on Gaza overnight, Hamas said Monday, as the army said it will not be distracted from the war after Iran's unprecedented attack heightened fears of wider conflict.World powers have urged restraint after Iran late Saturday launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel, though the Israeli military has said the vast majority were intercepted.Tehran's first direct assault on Israel, in retaliation for a deadly strike in Damascus earlier this month, followed months of violence across the region involving Iranian proxies who say they act in support of Palestinians in the war-battered Gaza Strip."Even while under attack from Iran, we have not lost sight, not for one moment, of our critical mission in Gaza to rescue our hostages from the hands of Iran's proxy Hamas," Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said late Sunday.

Iran Israel Conflict Live: We must avoid escalation in Middle East, says France's Macron

We will do everything we can to avoid escalation and convince Israel it should not reply to Iran strike with further escalation.

Iran to allow Indian authorities to meet 17 crew members of seized cargo vessel

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has said that Tehran will allow Indian authorities to meet 17 Indian crew members of a cargo vessel that was seized by the Iranian military near the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. Amir-Abdollahian conveyed this to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during a telephonic conversation on Sunday, according to an Iranian readout.In the talks, Jaishankar called for release of the Indians onboard Portuguese-flagged cargo vessel MSC Aries."We are following up on the details of the seized ship and soon it will be possible for the representatives of the Indian government to meet with the crew of the said ship," the Iranian readout quoted Amir-Abdollahian as saying.

Iran Israel Conflict Live: Iran attack on Israel adds to airline troubles in Middle East

Global airlines faced disruptions to flights on Monday after Iran's missile and drone attacks on Israel further narrowed options for planes navigating between Europe and Asia.Iran's attack on Israel by more than 300 missiles and drones, which were mostly shot down by Israel's U.S.-backed missile defence system, caused chaos in the aviation industry.At least a dozen airlines have had to cancel or reroute flights over the last two days, including Qantas, Germany's Lufthansa, United Airlines and Air India.This was the biggest single disruption to air travel since the attack on the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001, according to Mark Zee, founder of OPSGROUP, which monitors airspace and airports.

Iran Israel Conflict Live: Fear, frustration in Iran after attack on Israel

Experts monitoring developments in Iran have raised concerns about Israel's potential response to the weekend's drone and missile attacks, warning both sides could quickly launch a dangerous tit-for-tat exchange.General Hossein Salami, the commander of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard, said on Iranian state TV that Tehran had entered a "new equation" in which any Israeli attack on its "interests, assets, officials, or citizens would be reciprocated from its own territory." Read more

2024 Iran–Israel conflict Live: ‘Islamic world will celebrate the destruction of Israel’: What next in Middle East war

Iran has declared the completion of its retaliatory attack against Israel, which involved a substantial drone and missile barrage over the weekend. The strikes were a response to what Tehran alleged was an Israeli airstrike earlier this month on its consulate in Damascus, Syria, resulting in the deaths of several senior Iranian military officers. Read more

Iran Israel Conflict Live: Stocks hit by Iran's Israel strike, hopes for containment stem losses

Equities tumbled Monday in Asia after Iran ramped up Middle East tensions by launching a barrage of missiles and drones at Israel over the weekend, fuelling fears of a wider conflict in the volatile region.However, while Israel called the attack -- which Tehran said was in response to a strike on its Syrian embassy -- an escalation of hostilities, analysts said there was hope among traders that the crisis could be contained.That sliver of optimism helped drag oil prices lower.

Israel Iran War Live Updates: Biden privately fears 'catastrophic escalation'

US President Joe Biden has privately expressed grave concerns about the possibility of a "catastrophic escalation" in the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran. Read more

Iran Israel Conflict Live: Sensex takes a hit

Sensex tanks 929.74 points to 73,315.16 in early trade; Nifty declines 216.9 points to 22,302.50

Israel Iran War News Live:Japan foreign minister to skip Bahrain trip amid Middle East crisis, officials say

Japan's foreign minister is preparing to shelve a trip to Bahrain planned for later this week amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following Iran's mass drone and missile attack on Israel, three government officials said.Yoko Kamikawa had notified parliament of her plans to visit Bahrain following the G7 foreign ministers summit in Italy between April 17-19, according to Sankei newspaper. The foreign ministry had not officially announced her trip.One of the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the planned cancellation was to add more flexibility in the minister's schedule to respond to the crisis.Japan has strongly condemned the attacks and joined other global powers and Arab nations in calling for restraint.

Iran Israel Conflict Live: Iran to allow 17 indian crew members to meet govt officials after Jaishankar's call, according to TV reports

Iran has said Indian representatives will soon be allowed to meet the Indian crew members of MSC ARIES. The assurance came during External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar’s talk with Iranian counterpart Amir Abdollahian when India raised the issue of 17 Indians on MSC ARIES detained by Iran.

Biden to Bibi: US will not take part in counter-offensive against Iran

Prez Joe Biden warned PM Benjamin Netanyahu the US will not take part in a counter-offensive against Iran, if Israel decides to retaliate for a mass drone and missile attack on Israeli territory overnight, US officials said. The threat of open warfare erupting between the arch West Asia foes and dragging in the US has put the region on edge, triggering calls for restraint from global powers and Arab nations to avoid further escalation. The US will continue to help Israel defend itself but does not want war, John Kirby, the White House’s top national security spokesperson, told ABC’s “This Week” program on Sunday. Jordan’s King Abdullah told Biden in a phone call on Sunday that any further escalation from Israel would widen the conflict in the region, Jordanian state media reported.

Israel Iran War News Live: Israel, Iran trade accusations at Security Council meeting

Israel and Iran accused one another Sunday at the United Nations of being the main threat to peace in the Middle East, each calling on the Security Council to impose sanctions on their sworn enemy."The mask is off. Iran, the number one global sponsor of terror, has exposed its true face as the destabilizer of the region and the world," Israel's UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan told an emergency meeting of the Security Council convened after Tehran's unprecedented attack on Israel overnight. Read full story

US President Joe Biden tweets, "Today, I convened my fellow G7 leaders to discuss Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel. We will continue to work together to stabilize the situation in the region and avoid further escalation."

Israel Iran War News Live: Hamas proposes new ceasefire deal, demands six-week break from hostilities before release of hostages

After rejecting the Israeli proposal of a ceasefire amid the continuing hostilities in Gaza, Hamas presented a ceasefire and hostage release deal to mediators, demanding that Israel observe a six-week ceasefire before it receives any of the 129 hostages held by the terror group since October 7, The Times of Israel reported citing a report by Hebrew daily, Haaretz. Read full story

Israel Iran War News Live: US works to prevent an escalation across the Mideast as Biden pushes Israel to show restraint

The United States on Sunday highlighted its role in helping Israel thwart Iran's aerial attack as President Joe Biden convened leaders of the Group of Seven countries in an effort to prevent a wider regional escalation and coordinate a global rebuke of Tehran. The US assisted Israel in shooting down dozens of drones and missiles fired by Iran on Saturday in what was the first time it had launched a direct military assault on Israel. Israeli authorities said 99% of the inbound weapons were shot down without causing any significant damage. (AP)

Israel prepares for chemical contaminations possibly caused by Iranian attacks

srael's Ministry of Environmental Protection said it is prepared for the state of emergency declared by the Israel Defense Forces' Home Front Command in providing a response to environmental incidents in regards to the protection of factories during the ongoing emergency. The ministry conducted a situational assessments as part of the country's preparations for another Iranian attack and the fear of damage to plants containing dangerous substances and to plants that have been declared essential by the ministry. (ANI)

US Speaker Johnson says will offer Israel aid bill in coming days

US House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday he aims to advance war-time aid to Israel this week following Iran's weekend attack, but did not clarify whether Ukraine funding would be part of the package. American assistance for both nations has languished amid political bickering in Congress, with Johnson -- an ally of presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump -- blocking an earlier $95 billion in aid sought by President Joe Biden for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan which had passed the Senate. "The House Republicans and the Republican Party understand the necessity of standing with Israel. We're going to try again this week, and the details of that package are being put together right now," Johnson told Fox show "Sunday Morning Futures." (AFP)

US Centcom says it destroyed more than 80 one-way drones from Iran and Yemen intended to strike Israel

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Monday that U.S. Centcom forces, supported by U.S. European Command destroyers, on April 13 and April 14, destroyed more than 80 one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (OWA UAV) and at least six ballistic missiles intended to strike Israel from Iran and Yemen. (Reuters)

G7 Condemns Iran’s Attack on Israel, as EU Leaders Urge Restraint From All Parties

After convening a virtual meeting Sunday to discuss Iran’s attack on Israel, Group of Seven leaders adopted a joint declaration that reaffirmed their “full solidarity and support to Israel” and accused Iran of having risked “provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation” that must be avoided.Iran’s attack, which appeared to have been mostly intercepted by Israel and its allies, was carried out in retaliation for Israeli attacks on an Iranian Embassy building in Syria earlier this month. Iranian leaders have signaled that their retaliation is over unless they are attacked again.The joint declaration from the leaders of G7 nations — Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, as well as the European Union — demanded that “Iran and its proxies cease their attacks.” The leaders said they were ready “to take further measures now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives.” (NYT)

Middle East, world cannot 'afford more war': UN chief

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned the international community Sunday against deeper descent into conflict, addressing the Security Council during a meeting over Iran's weekend attack on Israel. "Neither the region nor the world can afford more war," Guterres said. "The Middle East is on the brink," he told the Security Council. "The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate," he added, calling for "maximum restraint." (AFP)

Iran's ambassador to UN: Iran will use its right to respond proportionately if US initiates military operations against Iran

At UN, Israel urges 'all possible sanctions' against Iran

Israel's UN envoy on Sunday urged the Security Council to impose "all possible sanctions" against Iran after the Islamic republic's unprecedented attack against Israel. "Today the council must take action (and) condemn Iran for their terror," Ambassador Gilan Erdan told the body, calling on countries to "impose all possible sanctions on Iran before it's too late." (AFP)

Saudi crown prince and Iraqi PM discuss ways to spare region from expansion of conflict

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Iraqi Prime Minster Mohammed Shia al-Sudani held a phone call on Sunday discussing ways to spare the region from any further expansion of conflict and efforts to mitigate risks of escalation, Iraq state media reported. (Reuters)

Ambrey says Israel intercepted UAV 'launched from Yemen'

British security firm Ambrey said on Sunday that Israel Defence Forces (IDF) intercepted an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) nearby Eilat, stating that they assessed the UAV was launched from Yemen. Ambrey said they also observed unprecedented levels of Automatic Identification Systems (AIS)interference off Eilat and neighbouring Aqaba, Jordan, on the same day. "These were due to electronic warfare counter-measures," the statement said. (Reuters)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres tweets, "The Middle East is on the brink. The people of the region are confronting the real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate. Now is the time for maximum restraint. Now is the time to step back from the brink."

UN has obligation to not let Iran’s actions go unanswered: US deputy ambassador to UN

House Speaker Mike Johnson says he will push for aid to Israel and Ukraine this week

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday he will try to advance wartime aid for Israel this week as he attempts the difficult task of winning House approval for a national security package that also includes funding for Ukraine and allies in Asia.Johnson, R-La., is already under immense political pressure from his fellow GOP lawmakers as he tries to stretch between the Republican Party's divided support for helping Kyiv defend itself from Moscow's invasion. The Republican speaker has sat for two months on a $95 billion supplemental package that would send support to the U.S. allies, as well as provide humanitarian aid for civilians in Ukraine and Gaza and funding to replenish U.S. weapons provided to Taiwan. (AP)

De-escalate tensions: India to Iran, Israel

After Iran's overnight attack on Israel, during which the former launching more than 300 projectiles aimed at it, Indian govt said it is "seriously concerned" about the hostilities between the two countries and called for immediate de-escalation, restraint and return to diplomacy. Read full story

Iran risks 'uncontrollable regional escalation', warns G7

Leaders of the G7 nations condemned Iran's attack on Israel and said on Sunday that they would work to try to stabilise the situation in the Middle East."With its actions, Iran has further stepped toward the destabilization of the region and risks provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation. This must be avoided," a statement issued by G7 president Italy said after a video conference involving the group's leaders. (Reuters)

Israel will hit back at Iran, but timing uncertain, say analysts

Israel is almost certain to retaliate at some stage against Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attack, but the question is how and when, say security analysts. World leaders have urged calm and the United States, Israel's top ally, called on Israel to refrain from a military response, at a time when the region is already in turmoil over the Gaza war. Several security experts told AFP they have little doubt that Israel will strike back sooner or later, but also pointed to the huge risks for Israel and its alliances, and the implications for the wider Middle East.

Sent into a tizzy by Iran-Israel tensions, airlines scramble to find safe flight paths

The worsening Iran-Israel conflict has triggered pockets of turbulence in air travel, with Air India tweaking the timings of a few of its ultra-long-haul flights and temporarily suspending sorties to and from Tel Aviv. Pilots are reporting a spurt in GPS signal jamming and spoofing in the conflict region, prompting route planners to constantly scramble the charts to find safer alternatives. Read full story

EAM talks to Iran minister, seeks release of 17 Indian crew members of seized cargo ship

Foreign minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Sunday evening and sought early release of the 17 Indian crew members onboard a cargo vessel that was seized by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for its links with Israel.Jaishankar also reiterated India's call earlier in the day for immediate de-escalation and restraint, which followed Iran's retaliatory air strikes on Israel for the killing of IRGC commander in a suspected Israeli attack on an Iranian diplomatic complex in Syria. Read full story

Russian, Iranian foreign ministers warn against further escalation in the Middle East, reports Reuters

Israel army says countered Iran in 'coalition' with US, allies

Israel's army said Sunday Israel, the United States, Britain, France and other allies had come together as a "coalition" for the first time to counter Iran's unprecedented attack. Iran launched a wave of missiles and attack drones against Israel overnight Saturday to Sunday in the first ever direct attack on its arch foe. Read full story

US won't join any Israeli retaliation against Iran, a US official says

(AFP)

Israel army says Hamas holding hostages in Gaza's Rafah

Israel said Sunday that Hamas is holding hostages in Rafah in southern Gaza, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to launch a ground invasion despite international outcry."Hamas is still holding our hostages in Gaza... We also have hostages in Rafah, and we will do everything we can to bring them back home," Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said at a briefing. (AFP)