Israel at War: Rising Lion Roars as Missiles Fall 

1) While Israel conducts targeted strikes in Iran to thwart nuclear and missile threats and target senior commanders responsible for them, the Iranian terror regime continues indiscriminate missile attacks on civilian population centers, aiming to kill innocents and sow destruction. Last night, 10 people were killed due to missile fire from Iran, 6 in Bat Yam, 4 in Tamra. Three of the victims were children. Over 200 people were injured to varying degrees across three impact zones, with efforts ongoing in Bat Yam to locate missing persons. Since the onset of missile attacks from Iran on Israeli population centers, 13 civilians have been killed.

2) The IDF continues Operation "Rising Lion" in Iran, over 1,500 km from Israel, to target the Iranian nuclear program threatening Israel and regional states, and in response to the ongoing aggression of Tehran’s terror regime. Last night, the Air Force completed a wide-ranging strike wave in Tehran, with approximately 50 fighter jets hitting over 80 targets. Among the targets struck: Iranian nuclear project infrastructure, the Defense Ministry headquarters, fuel depots, and facilities for storing and launching surface-to-surface missiles intended to target Israel.

• Since the start of Operation "Rising Lion," the IDF has struck over 170 targets and more than 720 military infrastructures in three days. Among those eliminated were Iran’s three most senior military commanders and nine nuclear scientists and experts.

Key Iranian figures killed include: the Armed Forces Chief of Staff, the IRGC Commander, the Emergency Headquarters Commander (Khatam al-Anbiya), the IRGC Air Force Commander and its command structure, the Armed Forces Intelligence Chief, and key figures involved in developing strategic nuclear weapons aimed at Israel’s destruction.

3) We will not allow a regime whose stated goal is Israel’s destruction to possess weapons of mass destruction or threaten our existence. For years, the Iranian regime has advanced direct and indirect terrorism against Israel through nuclear weapon and advanced missile development, as well as funding and directing terror proxies across the Middle East. Intelligence gathered over the years, particularly during the war, revealed Iran’s concrete plan to destroy Israel, with its leaders publicly declaring this goal relentlessly. Now, as Iran is closer than ever to acquiring nuclear weapons and reaching a point of no return, we had no choice but to act to defend ourselves.

4) Israel’s airspace remains closed to takeoffs and landings until further notice. An announcement regarding the reopening of airspace will be issued at least six hours in advance. Follow updates in the media and on airline websites.

5) No in-person schooling, including special education, will take place in Israel this week, and the education system will operate remotely. Following Home Front Command guidelines and a situation assessment, a full transition to remote learning has been decided from June 15 to June 21. All extracurricular activities, including trips and tours, have been canceled.

6) The healthcare system is operating in a format adapted to the special home front situation, at the highest level of readiness. All health fund clinics and institutes complying with Home Front Command protection policies are operational. Health funds have been instructed to enhance remote telephone services, including nurse hotlines and medical services, as an alternative to clinics unable to operate due to protection limitations. Hospitals have been directed to conduct activities in areas approved under protection policies, while continuing to discharge patients to maintain capacity for casualties.

7) Public transportation is operating in a limited format. Per Home Front Command guidelines, the focus is on service routes to hospitals and essential destinations only. Light rail services in Jerusalem and Gush Dan, as well as the Haifa cable car, will not operate until further notice. Check details and schedules on the websites and hotlines of the respective companies.

Regarding the Israel-Gaza War

1) The State of Israel continues to act forcefully against Hamas and other terror organizations in the Gaza Strip. Since the start of Operation "Gideon’s Chariots," the IDF has eliminated hundreds of terrorists, seized territories across Gaza, and destroyed numerous terror targets, including military buildings, observation and sniper posts, tunnels, weapons depots, and other infrastructure.

2) In Gaza, 53 hostages, living and deceased, remain held in brutal captivity by the Hamas terror organization for 618 days. Israel has a moral and ethical obligation to do everything possible to bring them all home, to the last one. Efforts to secure their release continue relentlessly, in coordination with the U.S. and mediating countries.

3) Israel, through the IDF, enables the American civilian organization (GHF) and international aid organizations to distribute humanitarian aid directly to Gaza residents, bypassing the Hamas terror organization. Food, medicine, essential supplies, and medical equipment continuously enter Gaza, with international medical teams entering regularly. We continue to monitor the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

• We are working to ensure no hunger crisis develops in Gaza, while the Hamas terror organization prevents direct food distribution to the population, loots aid, starves its own people, and systematically endangers them. Israel is acting to deny Hamas the ability to control aid distribution.

4) Israel will not tolerate repeated attempts by Yemen’s Houthi terror regime to harm us and will continue to defend its sovereignty and citizens with all necessary force. Since the war began, the IDF has conducted several strikes on Houthi targets, including seaports, airports, and power stations used for terror activities.

5) There will be no safe havens for terrorists in Judea and Samaria. Our security forces will reach anyone who harms or threatens Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers. The IDF and Shin Bet continue to act forcefully to thwart terror activities across the region, with a focus on northern Samaria, the source of deadly attacks.

6) Israel will continue to enforce the Lebanon ceasefire agreement in full, thwarting any threat to our sovereignty and the safety of our citizens. We will not allow the Hezbollah terror organization to recover, rearm, or threaten Israel from anywhere in Lebanon. Israel holds the Lebanese government responsible for all activities within its territory.

7) The threat from the Syrian border: Israel will not allow any entity to threaten its citizens or soldiers. Any incident will be met with a harsh response. We will not permit the deployment of forces or weapons, whether from the Syrian regime or terror organizations operating in the country, south of Damascus to establish a presence in the area. Any such attempt will be immediately thwarted.