Here in Israel, it’s “The Day After.” Most of us, of all the people I’ve spoken with, are still trying to figure everything that happened out. It started so suddenly… a loud blast on our collective cell phones, radios and televisions at around 3:30 am on June 15. It was intense. Incessant. Daring. Victorious. And horrific. And it ended even more suddenly and confusingly than it started.
First, I try my best to research each subject before I write for this blog or for any other source. I need my information to be verifiable and try to stick to primary source material whenever I can. I scour many different news sites (print, broadcast and social media) as well as speaking to experts when I can. That said, I am not infallible and will issue retractions when wrong. I do try to present both firsthand and “news” in their post and strive for clarity. That said-
Late Monday night, a ceasefire was brokered between Israel and Iran by President Trump. These are the exact terms of the agreement.
I’m not sure how confusing this was, but the ceasefire – no missiles, no airstrikes, no UAV drones – was to start at 07:00 am Israel Standard Time. Israel did target some 100 sites in Iran to strike by jet. They included IRGC headquarters, Basij (secret police/Gestapo) stations, weapons launch platforms, weapons production factories, both large and small. These were all hit on Monday night, before the ceasefire was to go into effect.
The Iranians fired a wide salvo of missiles throughout Israel at 03:16 am. Again shortly after 05:00 in which a BeerSheva high rise apartment complex received a direct hit. 4 people were killed and scores injured, 5 critically. Another barrage came shortly after 06:00 I the morning followed by another at 06:38. They were all aimed at high density residential areas and population centers. There were multiple injuries, but none serious.
A ceasefire went into effect at exactly 07:00 Israel time, after which Iran fired off another heavy missile barrage at 07:16. They claimed the missiles had already left Western Iran before the ceasefire went into effect. Again at 10:30am a huge swath of Israel was targeted by Iranian launches. This was a true breach of the agreement.
Members of Knesset and the War Cabinet which were convening throughout the night and into the day called for a retaliation. Fighter jets were launched from Ramat David Air Field. They were mid air when Trump issued a stand down. The IAF released one missile, destroying a lone radar installation.
Later in the day, President Trump issued a strong reprimand to both countries to stop the fighting.
Iran has been coming out with propaganda videos saying that the entire city of Tel Aviv is burning, Haifa is obliterated and that tens of thousands of Zionists have been killed. There were direct hits. 28 civilians were killed, which is not something to be ignored. But their news is incorrect. They claim to have hidden the enriched uranium. There are supposed satellite images put forth by CNN showing 16 truckers entering and leaving the Fordo facility on two occasions before the US strike. Whether this is true or not, I am unable to verify at this time.
Early intelligence assessments suggest the U.S. strikes on all three nuclear facilities in Iran did not completely cripple Tehran’s nuclear capabilities. They did, set the program back by months if not years according to the Defense Intelligence Agency of the Pentagon. Even if they do have some of their enriched uranium, their nuclear scientists have been eliminated. There is zero access to each facility, as both the access roads and the sites themselves are under rubble. This was a historic operation by both countries that was months if not years in the planning. By all accounts, it was a success and necessary to keep the bomb out of the hands of radical Islamist “twelvers” who would use it. Still, much conflicting information is being bandied about as to whether the mission was successful.
As of this writing, there are still reports coming out with much opposing information, some saying the nuclear program of Iran was decimated, others that the US strikes were underwhelming at best. Trump has just come out with a statement that Israelis (Mossad??) has actually gone inside Fordo and Natanz to check the facilities and that they are totally obliterated. My question is…by saying this is he giving classified info and is he endangering any Israeli/Mossad agents that are still boots on the ground? Why would he make this kind of statement? National security on both sides are saying the nuclear program is destroyed. Is this just to justify a multi billion dollar operation or to save face? I offer no conspiracy theories, but you must decide for yourself.
To sum up: Iran managed to launch approximately 550-600 ballistic missiles and over 1000 drones at Israel. 571 UAVs entered Israeli airspace. All were shot down except one which crashed into a residential building in Beit Shean causing significant damage. There was massive property damage to hundreds of buildings and homes. The Haifa refinery was hit as well as the Weizmann Institute for Scientific Research in Rehovot. Two. Israeli UAVs were shot down. The Israeli air defense system (Iron Dome, David’s Sling, the Arrow)) intercepted between 80-90% of the Iranian missiles. Approximately 60 made impact. There was a 99% interception rate of drones.
There were no IDF boots on the ground in Iran. All the strikes were done from the air. All planes returned safely to Israel. There were 17 teams (pilot/navigators) of women flying the fighter jets. This was a first. Air superiority was quickly established and within 72 hours the airspace had been completely cleared of threats of radar and satellite imaging.
Using the Mossad, who gained entrance to Iran secretly, all of the nuclear scientists, top IRGC command, higher up leadership and government eliminated. 40% of their ballistic missiles have been destroyed (800-1000 missiles were destroyed by the IAF before they could even be launched). 65% of their missile launchers were destroyed. It is believed they still hold about 1250 missiles.
The entire top leadership of the Iranian Air Force was eliminated during a secret meeting they held on the first day of the conflict. Two senior Basij police and al QUDS forces were taken out. Hundreds of lower ranking IRGC soldiers were eliminated in a series of attacks in Tehran. The Arak heavy water reactor and key missile production sites were destroyed. The gates of the are in prison were blown open. This is the prison that holds and tortures political dissidents, LGBTQ and modesty laws violators. It is safe to say that Iran no longer poses an existential threat to the Middle East. All of this was accomplished in 12 days. It was a war of historic proportions. Netanyahu declared that Israel achieved all its objectives and much more in his speech to the nation last night.
As of this morning, Iran announced they were pulling out of the International Atomic Energy Association. Just before this war started, the IAEA reported that the Iranians were in fact enriching weapons grade uranium and that they would have enough of the fissile materials to produce 9-15 nuclear warheads. Today, Iran’s parliament passed a bill to suspend cooperation with the IAEA over recent stories. The final decision now lies with the security council. Tehran has stated they would immediately begin their nuclear activity once again.
Israelis remain perplexed as to whether our mission was, in fact, complete. There will be no press to topple the current government or to fight for a regime change. The Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi said I. A press conference yesterday,”This is our Berlin Wall moment.” He has called on the Ayatollah to step down and urges global backing for a democratic Iran. It remains up to the will of the Iranian people as to whether they will force a regime change.
Also, all of the Iranian weapons and launching apparatus have not been eliminated. They still hold the capacity to strike, although the IDF says it is watching them very closely and will try to prevent any further escalation. The Iranian regime has already violated the cease fire multiple times, each time denying their culpability. This morning two Iranian drones were shot down before they could enter Israeli airspace.
Over 11,000 Israelis, mostly from urban areas, have been displaced due to structural damages of their residences. Property damage claims exceed 38,700. There are still 3,493 wounded in hospitals throughout the country. The war seems unfinished to most Israelis.
All of the situational restrictions, aka lockdown, have been lifted in Israel. Citizens are free to travel and resume normal activity. Schools are open. Commerce and transportation are up and running. Ben Gurion reopened its airspace. Over 100 new immigrants from UK, France, Spain sand the Netherlands arrived this morning, including a number of young families and Lone Soldiers.
Babies are being born and Israel is simultaneously mourning its dead. Funerals held today for those killed in Beersheva and the elderly couple in Ramat Gan. Also, 7 IDF soldiers were killed last night in Gaza (Khan Younis) when an IED was planted on their armored vehicle causing it to burst into flames. One of the deadliest attacks in months, the Engineering Corps soldiers were unable to be reached by fire rescue forces.
A completely false report/piece of propaganda was put out by the Gaza Health Ministry early yesterday morning. They are an extension of Hamas, and the story was picked up by the AP and Reuters and released to the world. According to the GHM, 28 innocent civilians were massacred when the IDF opened fire on them as they went to get humanitarian aid. It was a deadly massacre in cold blood according to anonymous sources. Except that it never happened. Nothing of the sort. The news was debunked shortly after it came out, but rapidly circulated through9t the world. I am planning on doing an entire piece on this tomorrow-
Ceasefire negotiations with a full hostage release are underway in recent hours, says a senior level Hamas official. Supposedly, President Trump has sent his envoys to the Middle East to further talks with all parties. Despite the ceasefire and easing of restrictions, tensions remain high. The next steps all seem uncertain. There is much left unresolved, namely the threats from Iran and its proxies.
In New York, pro-Palestine Mamdani won the democratic mayoral primary. The 33 year old former rapper has never held public office. Hailing from a radical extremist family, Mamdani founded the Students for Justice in Palestine at Columbia,Maia University and is a pro-Hams, pro-Iran activist who supports BDS of Israel. He has stated he would have Netanyahu and other members of the Israeli government arrested for war crimes if they ever set foot in New York. This self proclaimed socialist is very anti Israel and antisemitic. He is pro setting up Sharia law courts and neighborhoods throughout parts of the City.
Lastly, most Israelis I have spoken with (my husband and I have interfaced with many from secular to Orthodox) are very upset at the way Trump handled yesterday’s ceasefire breach. They felt his demeanor very patronizing. “He talks to us as if we were children,” stated Hanan B.. Liora L. believes he was most unprofessional and very naive if he believes Iran will behave in the way he wants them to. She remains skeptical as to Iran’s next actions and still considers them a threat. Gali Z. feels that Trump is just concerned with making peace for the whole world and getting the Nobel Peace Prize. She feels he is doing this for his own ego and hopes people won’t think of him as the Messiah. Eli M. said, “You can’t make deals with the devil. Trump has no idea how people are in the Middle East. Trump is being very naive.” And Efrat just shrugs and says, “Now where do we go from here?”
Israel Dreams 