G7 releases statement condemning Iran retaliatory attacks on Israel – as it happened

The Israel-Gaza war continues in the background behind wider regional conflict and tensions.

This is one of the latest images coming out of Gaza – a long line of Palestinians are seen as they try to make their way back north.

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US secretary of state Antony Blinken has discussed Iran’s attack on Israel in separate calls with his Jordanian, Saudi Arabian, Egyptian and Turkish counterparts, according to the US state department.

Blinken reiterated that the US does not seek escalation and will continue to support Israel’s defense, Reuters reports.

In his call with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, he also discussed the need to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza and achieve an immediate ceasefire that secures the release of all hostages, according to the state department.

US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson said on Sunday he would try to pass aid to Israel this week after Iran’s drone and missile attack.

Johnson is struggling to unify Republicans and avoid being ousted himself, recounted two failed attempts to pass standalone aid for Israel, Reuters reports.

“We’re going to try again this week, and the details of that package are being put together right now.

“We’re looking at the options, and all these supplemental issues,” Johnson told Fox News.

Johnson’s office declined to provide further details and he did not say whether the legislation would also include assistance for Ukraine and other allies.

Reged Ahmad here taking over from Maya Yang.

Here is where the day stands:

• The Israel Defense Forces announced that it intercepted a UAV that approached Israel earlier this evening. In a post on X, the IDF wrote: “A Sa’ar 6-class corvette successfully intercepted a UAV that approached Israeli territory from the southeast using the ‘C-Dome’ Defense System earlier this evening.”

• UN chief António Guterres called for maximum restraint on Sunday following Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Israel, Reuters reports. In a UN security council meeting, Guterres said: “The Middle East is on the brink. The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate.”

• Jordan’s prime minister Bisher Khasawneh said that escalation in the region would lead to “dangerous paths,” Reuters reports. Speaking to the Jordanian cabinet, Khasawneh said. “The army will respond to anything that will jeopardise the security and safety of the kingdom and the sanctity of its airspace and territory in the face of any danger from any party with all the available means.”

• The G7 has released the following statement on Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Israel: “We, the leaders of the G7, unequivocally condemn in the strongest terms Iran’s direct and unprecedented attack against Israel… We express our full solidarity and support to Israel and its people and reaffirm our commitment towards its security.”

• Jordan has summoned the Iranian ambassador to protest against Iran’s comments which were regarded by Jordan as an inteference in the kingdom’s internal affairs, Reuters reports. Speaking to Jordan’s state-owned Mamlaka news outlet, Safadi referred to comments made by Iranian official media which warned that Jordan would be the next target in the event it cooperated with Israel in a showdown with Iran.

• A senior Joe Biden administration official has told reporters on Sunday: “We are committed to defending Israel. We would not be a part of any response they do. This is a very consistent policy.” “Our aim is to deescalate regional tensions. We do not want a broader regional conflict. Our focus has been to contain this crisis,” the official added.

• Iran’s action against Israel was a “legitimate act of self-defence,” Syria’s foreign minister Faisal Mekdad told his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a phone call on Sunday. Syrian state media SANA further reports: “It is a legitimate right to self-defense against this racist Zionist entity, which does not respect international law and will, nor the Charter of the United Nations.”

• US air carrier United Airlines has canceled Sunday’s planned flight from Newark, New Jersey, to Tel Aviv following rising regional tensions, Reuters reports. The flight was set to take off from Newark at 3:20pm local time and land in Tel Aviv at 8:55am local time.

The Israel Defense Forces announced that it intercepted a UAV that approached Israel earlier this evening.

In a post on X, the IDF wrote:

“A Sa’ar 6-class corvette successfully intercepted a UAV that approached Israeli territory from the southeast using the ‘C-Dome’ Defense System earlier this evening.’

British maritime security firm Ambrey said the IDF intercepted an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) nearby Eilat, Israel, stating that they assessed the UAV was launched from Yemen, Reuters reports.

Ambrey said they also observed unprecedented levels of Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) interference off Eilat and neighbouring Aqaba, Jordan, on the same day.

“These were due to electronic warfare counter-measures,” the statement said.

UN chief António Guterres called for maximum restraint on Sunday following Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Israel, Reuters reports.

In a UN security council meeting, Guterres said:

“The Middle East is on the brink. The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate.”

Earlier this month, Israel killed a top Iranian commander, among other members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, in a strike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus.

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Here are some images coming through the newswires from Gaza where Israeli forces have killed over 33,000 Palestinians since October while forcibly displacing approximately 2 million survivors across the strip:

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The White House has released the following readout of Joe Biden’s Sunday phone call with Jordan’s King Abdullah:

“President Biden spoke today with His Majesty King Abdullah II about the situation in the Middle East.

President Biden strongly condemned the attack launched by Iran that also threatened Jordan and the Jordanian people. Both leaders noted that they continue to monitor the situation and will remain in close touch over the coming days.

They also discussed the situation in Gaza, and reaffirmed their cooperation to increase critical humanitarian assistance to Gaza and to find a path to end the crisis as soon as possible.”

Jordan’s prime minister Bisher Khasawneh said that escalation in the region would lead to “dangerous paths,” Reuters reports.

Speaking to the Jordanian cabinet, Khasawneh said:

“There is need for all parties to act responsibly and exercise utmost degree of self restraint... and not be dragged towards any escalation that will no doubt have dangerous consequences…

The army will respond to anything that will jeopardise the security and safety of the kingdom and the sanctity of its airspace and territory in the face of any danger from any party with all the available means.”

In a phone call with US president Joe Biden on Sunday, Jordan’s King Abdullah also said that Jordan “won’t be an arena for a regional war” and said that any “escalation by Israel would only widen the circle of conflict.”

With the world focused on the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, Palestinians continue to face attacks by Israeli forces across the Gaza Strip.

In a series of posts on X, the Palestine Red Crescent Society showed its teams treating Palestinians injured by Israeli attacks in recent days:

Since last October, Israeli forces have killed over 33,600 Palestinians while displacing over 2 million survivors across the strip amid a widespread man-made famine as a result of Israeli aid restrictions.

The G7 has released the following statement on Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Israel:

“We, the leaders of the G7, unequivocally condemn in the strongest terms Iran’s direct and unprecedented attack against Israel. Iran fired hundreds of drones and missiles towards Israel. Israel, with the help of its partners, defeated the attack.

We express our full solidarity and support to Israel and its people and reaffirm our commitment towards its security.

With its actions, Iran has further stepped toward the destabilization of the region and risks provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation. This must be avoided. We will continue to work to stabilize the situation and avoid further escalation. In this spirit, we demand that Iran and its proxies cease their attacks, and we stand ready to take further measures now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives.

We will also strengthen our cooperation to end the crisis in Gaza, including by continuing to work towards an immediate and sustainable ceasefire and the release of hostages by Hamas, and deliver increased humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in need.”

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Jordan has summoned the Iranian ambassador to protest against Iran’s comments which were regarded by Jordan as an inteference in the kingdom’s internal affairs, Reuters reports.

Speaking to Jordan’s state-owned Mamlaka news outlet, Safadi referred to comments made by Iranian official media which warned that Jordan would be the next target in the event it cooperated with Israel in a showdown with Iran.

14 Apr 202413.28 EDT

Julian Borger

A senior Joe Biden administration official has told reporters on Sunday: “We are committed to defending Israel. We would not be a part of any response they do. This is a very consistent policy.”

“Our aim is to deescalate regional tensions. We do not want a broader regional conflict. Our focus has been to contain this crisis,” the official added.

A senior US military official added:

“Israel has made clear to us they’re not looking for a significant escalation with Iran. That’s not what they’re looking for. They’re looking to protect themselves and defend themselves.”