Jerusalem — In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Thursday declared a special state of emergency across the entire country, citing an imminent threat of retaliation from Iran.
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The announcement follows what Katz described as a preemptive strike by the State of Israel against Iranian targets, prompting expectations of a large-scale missile and drone attack targeting Israeli cities and civilians.
“Following the State of Israel’s preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future,” Katz said in a televised statement.
The operation, dubbed “Strength of a Lion,” aims to counter what Israel calls an imminent nuclear threat.
Game on.
Pray for Israel.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) June 13, 2025
The emergency declaration grants sweeping powers to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Home Front Command, allowing them to impose restrictions on civilian movement, close schools, limit public gatherings, and activate defense protocols nationwide. Sirens have already sounded in several areas amid heightened alerts.
While details of Israel’s operation inside Iran remain under wraps, officials are urging the public to follow safety instructions and remain near protected spaces. Air defense systems, including the Iron Dome and David’s Sling, are reportedly on full alert.
The move marks one of the most serious escalations between Israel and Iran in recent years and comes amid a backdrop of growing instability across the region, with fears that a broader conflict could be triggered.
The Israeli government has called an emergency cabinet session, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to address the nation shortly.
This is a developing story.
Statement by the Israel Defense Force about tonight’s strikes against Iran:
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Tehillim time
Daven. Daven. Daven.
Hit them hard and completely. Destroy the Iranian government and let the people rise up
Hashem yishmor amoi Yisroel
כִּי יְ-הוָה אֱ-לֹהֵיכֶם הַהֹלֵךְ עִמָּכֶם לְהִלָּחֵם לָכֶם עִם אֹיְבֵיכֶם לְהוֹשִׁיעַ אֶתְכֶם.
May HaShem protect our brave chayalim and all of Klal Yisorel. All of us in Chutz L’Aretz must say all of thelim & daven with all our hearts to protect Eretz HaKodesh
DESTROY AYATOLLAH REGIME! REVENGE FOR 46 YEARS OF TERROR.
Ed Henry on Newsmax : Witcoff played along with Israel , telling Iran yesterday that we’ll talk some more, lulling them into false security. Everybody just chill, Trump is smart.
Is Mashiach imminent?
No, wait. Democrats Cory Booker and Kristen Gillibrand told us that the Iran “deal” was wonderful. They told us that the Iranian mullahs can be trusted as good friends. We should continue to give them billions of US tax dollars.
calling this an “escalation” is misleading. iran’s nuclear weapons program is already an existential threat to israel, so a preemptive strike is anything but an “escalation”. the choices are to fight iran with or without nuclear weapons, and this is definitely the less dangerous option.
Chaim is obsessed with Trump, in a negative sense. The fact of the matter is that
although a number of Arab nations officially are on the record condemning the attack against Iran (i.e. Qatar and the UAE), privately they are not shedding any tears. Saudi Arabia has not said anything, and neither has Egypt or Jordan. In fact, the people of Iran have cheered the attacks, as they hate their regime which oppresses their people. The day is fast approaching when the Iranian people will be liberated from the Islamic fanatics, whom have terrorized them for nearly half a century. When the Shah of Iran was in power, he was not perfect. However, he sought to modernize Iran, and not bring it back to the stone age, as the Islamic fundamentalists have sought to do. Although many in Europe, and other countries around the world, will condemn Israel and the USA at the UN, they were silent when Iran kidnapped, and imprisoned dozens of American hostages from 1979-1981, when they invaded the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, in violation of international law. As Rabbi Meir Kahane (z’l) of the Jewish Defense League once stated, “When the chips are down, and Jews need help, the only people in the entire world who will help Jews, are other Jews”. The people of Israel do indeed live.
Never again!
Trump told Arab “allies” 45 mins before the attack that it was coming, and that US was NOT involved or supporting Israel. Wow. Je is NOT supporting Israel or Bibi.
HaShem Ya’azor,
HaShem please help Your people.
Of course everything with HASHEMS help. But this is great for Israel,Jews and yes the civilize world
well…despite having “the best us friend it’s ever had” Israel will need to go it alone…USA statement minutes after attack is shocking in how it distances from Israel. Not a word of support. Plus private messages to US Arab partners half hour before launch that we have nothing to do with it” and Trump “only wants peace” Is THIS what you voted for?…told you so
Bit of Kochi v’otzem yadi op. name. Israel as alson has PR problem. Operation name should be something like October1 payback. Daven.
The Ashlich says lavi (in bamidbar) is a weak lion, might not be the best title
Come on man, let’s BOMB Iran!
My best wishes for E. Yisrul / Israel !
Will people need to cancel summer vacation trips?
Let’s see what happens next.
That is the Jewish people . B’nei Rachamim .Give them advance warning .