Israeli Embassy in India spokesperson Guy Nir, speaking exclusively to NDTV, said that the Israel Defense Forces or IDF is currently assessing the missile attack carried out by Iran today and an appropriate response will be given to Tehran.
Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel today – about 200 of them – in its attempt to send a message to Tel Aviv following the killings of the Hamas and Hezbollah chiefs. While Israel was able to intercept most of the missiles, there were some that targeted areas in the north and south of the country.
This is the sharpest increase in tensions in the Middle East since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza almost a year ago. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is currently holed up in a safe house at an undisclosed location, reportedly gave the green signal for the missile attack on Israel today.
Speaking to NDTV, an Israel Embassy spokesperson warned that “If he (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) plans to start a full-scale war with Israel, it would be a mistake for them (Iran).” He further said Israel’s response to Tuesday’s attack would be strategic and precise. He said, “Israel’s response will be something strategic and precise, not a full-scale war. I don’t think either side wants that.”
The Israeli spokesman also cautioned any other country that might consider joining Iran in attacking Israel. He warned, “If any country wants to get involved with Iran, I can only hope that they don’t do so, because if they do, the consequences will be disastrous for them as well.”
Speaking about Israel’s top defense system, the Israeli spokesperson said it is not just the famous ‘Iron Dome’ but there are other systems as well, but did not give further details about what they are. “It’s not just Iron Dome, we have many other defense systems that I can’t go into detail about for security reasons, that were helping us get this situation under control. The systems are very precise and have more than 180 Most of the missiles, none of them were able to penetrate through these,” he said.
The spokesperson further confirmed that at the moment “there have been no casualties in Israel, but there has been one casualty in the Palestinian territories”. He said, this happened because Iran targeted the entire region. He also explained how every Israeli citizen is prepared and trained for such scenarios, thereby preventing loss of life and property across the country.
Here is Israeli Embassy spokesperson Guy Nir’s full interview with NDTV:
, #NDTVExclusive “Iran fired 181 missiles at Israel. Civilians are now out of bunkers. Israel will respond to these attacks”: Israeli Embassy spokesperson in India (@IsraelinIndia) Guy Neer (@GuyNirIL, #NDTVWorld #Iran #israel pic.twitter.com/1krD80lqIr
– NDTV (@ndtv) 1 October 2024
Q) Will it be a total war? Or is there a possibility that this will be controlled?
A) Right now the IDF is saying that they are trying to understand, assess and calculate the next steps to take this forward. We have confirmed that 181 missiles have been fired at Israel by Iran. It seems as if the attack is now complete and Israeli civilians have come out of their bunkers and shelters.
Q) What is the situation in Israel at present?
A) Two hours earlier, the IDF’s Israel Defense Forces had told all civilians to go into shelters and bunkers to prepare for this attack. About an hour ago we started seeing missiles in the air and falling all over Israel. In total, more than 180 missiles were fired at Israel. At present, the attack is over and people have come out of their shelters.
Q) Video footage shows that these missiles have hit multiple targets and may have caused casualties. Do you have any update on this?
A) So what we are seeing is that missiles have fallen into north and south Israel. These missiles have fallen either on buildings or in open areas. As of now, we have no Israeli casualties as all Israelis have gone to their bunkers and safe rooms. However, there have been one casualty in the Palestinian territories as Iran fired missiles across the area. So currently we have confirmation of this one Palestinian killed in the Iran attack.
Q) How effective has the Iron Dome system been for Israel?
A) It is not just Iron Dome, we have many other defense systems which I cannot go into detail about for security reasons, which were helping us bring this situation under control. The systems are very accurate and most of the more than 180 missiles did not fail.
Q) Do you think Israel will now attack Iran also and it will turn into a full-scale war?
A) So, at this point I want to be very careful about what I say. The IDF is currently assessing the situation to determine what the appropriate way to respond would be. Will it be an all-out war or will it be something more strategic? Well, I think Israel’s response will be something more strategic and precise, not a full-scale war. I don’t think either side wants this.
Q) According to reports, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei had given the green signal to this missile attack. What is your take on this?
A) I believe that if he plans to start a full-scale war with Israel, it would be a mistake for him.
Q) It is believed that along with Iran, many other countries will also join this war. Is Israel ready for this?
A) Israel is prepared for multiple scenarios. Israel is not alone. We also have many allies who will help us. As far as any countries wanting to get involved with Iran, I can only hope that they don’t do so, because if they do, the consequences will be disastrous for them as well.
Q) According to you, which countries could join Iran in this attack against Israel?
A) I have no hopes.
Q) How is your family in Israel? Hope they are safe after this attack?
A) I have talked to my family since all this started. They are all fine. I have a friend who lives very close to one of the areas where the attack took place. I immediately called her to make sure she was okay. My entire family and relatives are fine.
Q) What type of drill are most people in Israel trained for in such situations?
A) So, every single person in Israel has a bunker or safe room in their homes – with a double-sided wall that is indistinguishable to such missile attacks. All Israelis know and are trained that when the alarm goes off, they must get to their safe room within a specific time period given – which is usually 60 seconds to 120 seconds, depending on whether you Where do you live? And we tell them in advance when they need to be close to the safe room because the alarm may go off within the next hour. Israeli people always follow it. They are always ready. They listen to these instructions very carefully. So, even today, when the last call came, everyone was already close to a safe room, so they could quickly go inside and close the door.
Q) So, every home or building throughout Israel has a safe house inside or attached to it?
A) Yes, most homes in Israel have these. Since 1991 we have a law according to which all buildings, all houses and apartments are required to have such a room. So, all new buildings and apartments have these. Older buildings usually have safe rooms (covered bunkers) at ground level. So everyone goes down to the ground and sits there.
Question) After today’s attack by Iran, is there any possibility of controlling this war in the next two or three days or even in the coming week?
A) I hope so.