• It is the 118th day of the war: over 27 thousand people killed in Gaza. In Israel, 1,200 died in the October 7 attack.
• During the night between Friday and Saturday the US launched raids against pro-Iranian militiamen in Syria and Iraq, hitting at least 85 targets. It is the response to the guerrilla attack in Jordan which cost the lives of three American soldiers.
• Talk between leaders of Hamas and Jihad for the truce proposal.
• Gallant: «The truce in Gaza would not apply to Hezbollah».
01.50 am – B1 supersonic bombers from the USA were used in the raids
(by Viviana Mazza, correspondent from New York) Last night, in the space of 30 minutes, the United States struck over “85 targets” in four locations in Syria and three in Iraq, linked to the Quds Forces of the Pasdaran and pro-militias -Iranian. It is the first of a series of raids in retaliation for the killing of three American soldiers at a base in Jordan, which marked an escalation in the war in the Middle East. The news arrived shortly after President Biden welcomed the bodies of the fallen to his homeland and on the eve of a new trip by Secretary of State Blinken to the region. Biden said the response “will continue at times and places we decide.” No raids occurred in Iran. Command and intelligence centers, rocket depots, missiles and drones were hit, “chosen because they were directly involved in the continuous attacks against the Americans”, said General Douglas Sims, director of joint operations of the US General Staff. General Sims explained that B1 supersonic bombers departing directly from the United States were involved in the raid. He then added that the timing was dictated by the weather conditions, to ensure precision and avoid civilian casualties. «The message is: we no longer want to see a single attack against our troops. We are not seeking conflict with Iran or in the Middle East,” reiterated John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council. “We don’t know if there were militiamen killed,” Kirby added. Iran says 10 people have died, including three Iraqis.
01.11 am – USA: 85 targets hit in Syria and Iraq, 125 precision munitions used
The US government has described attacks carried out against targets and facilities linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard and pro-Iranian groups in Iraq and Syria as “successful”. This was stated by White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby. 85 “targets” and 7 facilities were attacked: 3 in Syria and 4 in Iraq, using more than 125 precision munitions.
00:57 – The US waited for favorable weather to launch the attack
The United States waited for favorable weather conditions before carrying out strikes on Syria and Iraq. This was reported by NBC-Sky News. “The operation was designed around the weather, when we had our best opportunity,” said Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims. «Today the good weather showed up. And as a result, the attack took place.”
00:27 – ANALYSIS – Biden warns Iran: this is how the US tries to avoid escalation
(by Guido Olimpio) The United States and Iran are trying to reiterate the rules of engagement, to duel without hitting each other directly, avoiding escalation. A risk that is always present in the Middle East regardless of initial intentions. The Pentagon conducted the first raids during the night, in retaliation after the attacks launched by pro-Iranian militias in Jordan, Syria and Iraq. The US air strikes affected installations of Tehran’s allied factions present on Syrian and Iraqi territory but also those of the Qods Division, the apparatus of the guardians of the revolution that holds the various organizations together and assists them. According to Central Command, the targets, for now, have been 85. In the previous hours, rumors hypothesized a prolonged mission on multiple levels with the involvement of the military device in the region, a deployment to which other aircraft were added, including B1 bombers and in-flight refueling aircraft. Movements tracked by those who always carry out these activities on the internet and are therefore “visible”.
00.26 – USA: we will not attack Iran, we do not want war with Tehran
The United States will not attack Iran. The White House said this, reiterating that Washington “does not want war with Tehran”.
00:24 – The US warned Iraq before the attacks against pro-Iranian militiamen
The United States warned Iraq ahead of attacks on Iran-affiliated groups on its territory. The White House said this after Baghdad protested the “violation of its sovereignty”.