….calls for immediate cessation of hostilities
By Chris Udochukwu
The United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres has condemned in strong terms, the serious escalation represented by the large-scale attack launched on Israel by the Islamic Republic of Iran on Saturday evening.
Expressing his displeasure in a statement released via his personal X account, the UN Scribe called for an immediate cessation of these hostilities to avoid region-wide escalation.
Guterres urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East.
He emphasized that he has repeatedly stressed that neither the region nor the world can afford another war.
Recall that on the 1st April, Isreali strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus killed Seven Revolutionary Guards, including two generals, and six Syrians.
Precise Post recalls that Iran on Saturday fired over 100 drones and missiles at Israel in a retaliatory attack.
It was reported by BBC that the loud explosions were heard with the air defence systems shooting down objects over the city as the multiple interceptions lit up the night sky.
Iran had warned that Israel would be “punished” for a strike on its consulate in Syria on 1 April. Seven Revolutionary Guards, including two generals, and six Syrians were killed in the Damascus attack.
Israel had acknowledged carrying out hundreds of strikes in recent years on targets in Syria that it said were linked to Iran but had not claimed the Damascus strike.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed in a statement that drones had been launched from Iran towards Israel.
It said “A short while ago, Iran launched UAVs from within its territory toward Israel. The IDF is on high alert and is constantly monitoring the operational situation.
“The IDF Aerial Defense Array is on high alert, along with IAF fighter jets and Israeli Navy vessels that are on a defense mission in Israeli air and naval space. The IDF is monitoring all targets.
“We ask the public to adhere to and follow the instructions of the Home Front Command and the official IDF announcements regarding the matter.”
In an address to the nation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military is “ready for any scenario”.
“Citizens of Israel, in recent years, and especially in recent weeks, Israel has been preparing for a direct attack by Iran. Our defensive systems are deployed; we are ready for any scenario, both defensively and offensively. The State of Israel is strong. The IDF is strong. The public is strong,” he said.
According to Netanyahu, “We have determined a clear principle: Whoever harms us, we will harm them. We will defend ourselves against any threat and will do so level-headedly and with determination.”