Sirens blared throughout Israel during the prolonged Iranian missile attack on Israel on Monday morning. In some parts of Israel, only faint sirens could be heard, leaving residents wondering whether they needed to head to protected spaces or not. One Israeli driving on a highway in southern Israel was unsure if a siren was wailing or not but continued driving…and was miraculously saved from harm as a missile fell next to the highway only meters in front of his car. A truck driving in the opposite direction was also only meters away when the missile hit. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)
Sirens sounded across Israel on Monday morning beginning shortly before 10:30 a.m. as Iran launched multiple barrages at the Jewish state one after the other, toward the north, the central area and the south—in the Lachish area, in the Gaza border area, and in the western Negev. Sirens continued to sound in various parts of the country for about 40 minutes, the longest stretch since the beginning of the war. There were impacts in Ashdod, Yavne, and Tel Arad, and in the north, including an open area in Tzfas. B’chasdei Hashem, there were no reports of injuries but therre were several reports of fires breaking out in open areas. Also, the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) announced that a power plant in southern Israel was hit, causing power outages in several nearby communities, and warned the public not to go near downed power lines. About two hours later, the IEC announced that the downed lines have been repaired and power has been restored to all areas. Rescue flights bringing Israelis back home from abroad were forced to turn their planes around due to the attack. The IDF said that about six or seven missiles were launched in four barrages. Shortly after the attack was over, Iran fired one missile at northern Israel. Baruch Hashem, the missile was intercepted and there were no reports of injuries. Overnight Sunday, Iran launched a single missile at central Israel. The missile was successfully intercepted by an American air defense system. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)
Israel is set to begin limited flights in and out of Ben Gurion International Airport on Monday, the airport authority announced. Outgoing flights will operate with a maximum of 50 passengers because of new safety protocols, Israel Airports Authority (IAA) said in a statement. Israel’s Home Front Command has restricted large gatherings of people and closed non-essential workplaces because of the threat of Iranian ballistic missiles. Meanwhile, the IAA will allow approximately 24 incoming flights per day as part of what it’s calling the “Safe Return” operation, as tens of thousands of Israelis remain stranded abroad. These inbound flights are allowed to operate with an increased capacity. The IAA said the resumption of flights – even at limited capacities – would mark “a significant step toward the gradual restoration of routine international travel.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is facing the most serious crisis of his decades-long rule following the U.S. strike on multiple Iranian nuclear facilities, according to a leading analyst — as the world waits to hear any official response from the 86-year-old leader. “Khamenei is arguably in the most dire situation of his entire life as an autocrat,” said Karim Sadjadpour of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. “He’s in a bunker. He’s 86 years old. He has limited physical, cognitive bandwidth. Most of his top military commanders were assassinated. He doesn’t control his own airspace. Israel controls it,” Sadjadpour explained. “And, you know, there’s no way out of this war. He can’t win this war. He’s outmatched militarily, financially, technologically.” Khamenei has yet to release any public statement since the United States carried out the dramatic strikes on three major Iranian nuclear sites. Prior to the attack, he warned that Iran would not surrender and vowed that any U.S. military involvement would bring “irreparable damage.” Meanwhile, President Trump, who reportedly rejected a proposal from Israeli officials to target Khamenei directly, said last week that Iran’s Supreme Leader is an “easy target.” The question now looming in diplomatic and intelligence circles is whether the pressure on the regime could lead to its collapse — a scenario that could dramatically reshape the region but also spark widespread instability. Khamenei, who took the reins of power in 1989 after the death of Ayatollah Khomeini, has ruled the Islamic Republic for more than 35 years and is the country’s highest authority. His regime was built on the ashes of the Shah’s pro-Western monarchy, toppled during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. “The Supreme Leader has survival instincts, but he also has defiant instincts,” said Sadjadpour. “And he’s having a real struggle in my view, reconciling those two.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Iran’s supreme leader on Sunday promised “punishment” for Israel as both nations continue to engage in retaliatory strikes. “The punishment continues,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wrote on X. “The Zionist enemy has made a big mistake, committed a big crime; it must be punished and it is being punished; it is being punished right now.” The social media post came as Israel warned of a missile launch from Iran. Sure enough one ballistic missile was launched from Iran in the latest attack. The missile, which triggered sirens in Tel Aviv and the surrounding area in central Israel, was intercepted, and no injuries were reported.
President Trump shared that the U.S. strikes on three of Iran’s main nuclear facilities caused “monumental damage.” “Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images,” Trump shared in a Truth Social post. “Obliteration is an accurate term! The white structure shown is deeply imbedded into the rock, with even its roof well below ground level, and completely shielded from flame,” he described. “The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!’ (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
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