Israel: Cracking Dome

As Stefan Zweig warned, armed conflicts do not always erupt through a deliberate and conscious decision, but are sometimes the result of an accumulation of complications, a lack of political will to prevent or contain them, and a collective blindness that makes inevitable what could have been avoided. Could this be the beginning of a new armed confrontation with dire consequences for a region already marked by conflict? What's more, is the fragile international order in peril? Israel has lit the fuse once again, and the world is watching closely, especially when the attacked entity is successfully responding to the aggression, so that the always secure Israeli citizens are no longer so; they feel vulnerable and, above all, frightened.

When you live in apparent impunity...

The aggression launched by the far-right government of Benjamin Netanyahu, with threats of using a nuclear bomb, is added by the endorsement and full support of the United States, whose president, Donald Trump, threatened to assassinate Ayatollah Khomeini, just as Israel has done with Iranian military leaders and scientists.

Since the early hours of June 13, when Israel launched an unprovoked attack on Iran, the two nations have been exchanging bombardments. Russia, China, and numerous countries around the world have strongly condemned the Israeli offensive, calling it a serious violation of international law and the UN Charter.

Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned these attacks in a conversation with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, and expressed grave concern about a possible escalation. The conflict "would have unforeseeable consequences for the entire situation in the Middle East." Likewise, Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzia, warned that Israel's actions are pushing the region toward a "large-scale nuclear catastrophe."

From Latin America, several nations, including Brazil, Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua, expressed their rejection of Tel Aviv's actions. Countries in the Islamic world, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Pakistan, have reacted similarly.

Be that as it may, the point is that Iran believes Israel has violated international law. Certainly, the military aggression orchestrated last Friday by the Israeli regime constitutes a violation of various legal precepts enshrined in the United Nations Charter. Ultimately, its strategy could be classified as an act of aggression that would enable the Iranian state to defend itself. Consequently, the attack it suffered gives it the opportunity to seek refuge under the principle of self-defense recognized in Article 51 of the aforementioned Charter, provided that it complies with the parameters of urgency, necessity, and proportionality required by international law.

Israel claims that its attack is preemptive in nature, but its conduct is not protected by international law. Both the United States and Israel have defended, on more than one occasion, the legality of launching military operations prior to the occurrence of certain types of threats. This was the case when attempting to justify the aggression and invasion of Iraq in 2003.

However, this position does not comply with international norms. It’s, in reality, a distorted interpretation of supranational legality that contributes to destabilizing a region subject to tremendous pressure. Furthermore, this biased view erodes the authority of international law itself, already undermined by the arbitrary actions of some countries that hold a prominent role in the Security Council (by exercising their veto power) and that therefore hold "the key"—though not the will—to intervene in situations of extreme gravity.

If in this case, on the one hand, the inaction of some of its members persists under the premise of laissez-faire, and on the other hand, the support of others in favor of one of the belligerent parties, which in turn leads them to antagonize each other, we will face a new obstacle that will further complicate the already tense relations between powerful states. In any case, the lack of unanimity in the aforementioned Security Council ultimately contributes to intensifying the friction between the actors involved, opening the door to an ever deeper and more unpredictable military escalation.

IRANIAN SURPRISE

Until June 18, Iran maintains the tightest control over Israeli airspace.

Shortly after Iran carried out one of its largest attacks against Israel, which took place early Wednesday morning, it was clarified that this is the 11th wave of bombings in its operation against the Hebrew country, dubbed True Promise 3.

Thus, sources in Tehran specified that first-generation Fattah missiles were used in this phase of the operation and emphasized that they are beginning to witness "the beginning of the end of Israel's legendary air defenses."

They added that the "powerful and maneuverable" Fattah-1 missiles used penetrated Israel's air defenses and thus conveyed "a message of Iran's power to Tel Aviv's war ally, which is caught in absurd fantasies and illusions."

They also stated that the missile attack demonstrated "beyond a doubt" that Iran has managed to establish "total control" over Israeli airspace. "The residents of Tel Aviv have become completely defenseless against Iran's missile attacks," they concluded.

Early Wednesday morning, Iran launched dozens of missiles at Israeli territory, some of which hit Ashdod, Sharon, Shomron, and the Jerusalem area. Fires also broke out in several towns in southern and central Israel, including Tel Aviv. The Tasnim news agency reported that this attack is "one of the heaviest and most widespread" in recent days, emphasizing that the Iranian missiles have successfully penetrated layers of Israeli air defenses.

Explosions were then heard in Tehran, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they have been carrying out "a series of attacks" against the Iranian capital.

The offensive came after the Israeli army threatened to bomb Tehran's 18th district, a densely populated area near Mehrabad Airport and the Aerospace University, and urged civilians to immediately evacuate the area. "In the coming hours, the Israeli army will act in this area to attack the enemy," the Israeli military said. "The Fattah-1 missile is Iran's first hypersonic missile. It is noted for its speed, precision, and maneuverability, as well as its ability to evade the most advanced missile defense systems, including Israel's Iron Dome. The Fattah-1 is capable of speeds between Mach 5 and Mach 15 (6,000 to 18,000 km/h) and has a demonstrated range of 1,400 kilometers.

Unlike traditional ballistic missiles, which follow a predictable arc, the Fattah-1 is capable of adjusting its course in flight, allowing it to attack the Iranian regime's military infrastructure, as it has done in recent days around Tehran," the IDF reported.

In response, Iran issued a warning urging Israelis to evacuate the Neve Tzedek area, southwest of Tel Aviv, for their own safety. It can plan and alter its trajectory within the atmosphere, making it difficult for missile defense systems to intercept.

NO WINNING FOR THE SCARE

Regardless of what happens from here on out, Israeli citizens, most of whom would like to kill Palestinians and hate the Arab world, feel in danger as their famous Iron Dome is breached.

Given the escalation triggered by Israel's attack on Iran last week, the mood in Israeli society is changing, reports the British Broadcasting Corporation.

"For many Israelis, the mood has changed. Many felt that the country's sophisticated air defense system was impenetrable, a feeling that has changed since Iran launched its retaliatory attacks. Local authorities say the multi-layered air defense system remains robust, but is not perfect," the British outlet notes.

Similarly, the American Broadcasting Corporation notes that "the reality of war against an opponent as advanced as Iran has left Israelis frightened and in shock." Citizens say their sense of security has been shaken and is likely to worsen.

According to the outlet, local social media has been flooded with fervent questions about how to leave the country while Israeli airspace remains closed. There are hours-long lines at land border crossings with Egypt and Jordan, currently the only way out.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry reported that it has received a flood of more than 4,700 calls to its emotional support hotlines since the conflict with Iran broke out.

For her part, journalist Noga Tarnopolski told Times Radio that Israelis are "exhausted, exhausted," while the prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu "has once again made a promise he cannot keep unless a bet he appears to have made is confirmed." "Netanyahu doesn't have much room for maneuver regarding his popularity among Israelis; "It’s neither trusted nor liked by the Israelis," she stated.

"Netanyahu promised the Israelis something very clear with this attack on Iran: that he would eliminate the Iranian nuclear threat," the journalist continued, highlighting the real threat that has emerged since the start of the offensive against the Islamic Republic, emphasizing:

"Until that moment, Iran had not disrupted daily life in Israel."

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSi Translation Staff