The Israeli Air Force has destroyed the Natanz nuclear facility in the massive surprise attacks early Friday morning. Multiple waves of Israeli strikes were reported throughout Iran for several hours, starting at around 3 a.m. and into the morning. Over 200 Israeli Air Force aircraft were involved in the opening strikes, and fighter jets dropped over 330 munitions on some 100 targets, the IDF said. Blasts were reported in Natanz, the site of a key nuclear facility, as well as in and around the capital Tehran. Netanyahu and Iranian state TV confirmed that one target of the strikes was the Natanz enrichment facility, one of two underground nuclear sites in the country, the other being at Fordo.

Fresh insights have come to light about the extensive groundwork that paved the way for Israel’s military operation against Iran, dubbed Operation Rising Lion. Over several years, Israel’s military and intelligence agencies worked in close coordination, amassing detailed intelligence to enable a decisive preemptive strike. According to Israel Hayom, the preparation involved years of painstaking intelligence-gathering and surveillance focused on key figures in Iran’s security establishment and nuclear program, many of whom were later targeted. Simultaneously, Israel conducted a covert campaign to weaken Iran’s strategic missile capabilities, disrupting its ability to pose a significant threat.

Though not a news outlet, Chaim V’Chessed is providing essential updates on how the developing conflict is impacting schools, travel, and government services in Israel. Following the beginning of Israel’s attack on Iran, here is what you need to know in the immediate future: Schools Closed: All schools across Israel are closed today, Friday, June 13. Airspace Shut Down: Israeli airspace has been closed, and all flights have been canceled until further notice. Flights en route to Israel are being rerouted to alternate destinations. Travel Disruptions Expected: Travelers should anticipate continued disruptions for several days. Reports indicate that El Al planes on the ground in Israel are currently being flown out to other countries for safety.

The New York City Police Department announced late Thursday night that it is deploying additional resources to Jewish and Israeli locations across the city, citing an “abundance of caution” in the wake of Israeli strikes targeting Iran. While officials stress that there are currently no credible threats to the city or its residents, both law enforcement and Jewish security organizations are urging increased vigilance, particularly ahead of Shabbos. The NYPD says it is closely coordinating with federal agencies and will continue monitoring for any developments that may affect security in New York. “We are deploying additional resources to ensure the safety of sensitive sites throughout the city,” the department said in a statement.

The IDF’s surprise launch of massive operations against the Iranian regime and its nuclear facilities has already resulted in the deaths of numerous top Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists.  The operation, codenamed “Am KeLavi” (Operation Rising Lion), targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and military infrastructure across multiple sites, including Tehran, Natanz, Khondab, and Khorramabad. The operation, supported by coordinated Mossad sabotage missions, aims to disrupt Iran’s nuclear program and eliminate key military and scientific figures, according to Israeli and Iranian sources. Iranian state media confirmed the deaths of several high-ranking officials and scientists in the strikes.

“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious and Most Merciful The great nation of Iran! At dawn today, the Zionist regime opened its dirty and bloody hand to crime in our beloved country and exposed its evil nature more than ever by attacking residential centers. The regime must expect severe punishment. The strong hand of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic will not abandon it, God willing. In the enemy attacks, a number of commanders and scientists were killed. Their successors and colleagues will immediately return to their posts, God willing… With this crime, the Zionist regime has prepared for itself a bitter and painful fate, and it will certainly accept it.”

In a dramatic late-night address as explosions lit up the skies over Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the launch of a sweeping military campaign aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities — a move he described as a defining moment in Israel’s history. “We are at a decisive point,” Netanyahu declared solemnly. “Our brave pilots are attacking a large number of targets across Iran.” The prime minister confirmed that the strikes — part of a long-anticipated operation — are focused on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missile factories, and other key military assets. “This operation will continue until the mission is completed,” he said, vowing that Israel will not back down.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee spoke to CBN News and did an admirable job of defending Israel against the various antisemitc accusations constantly hurled against the Jewish state. Regarding claims that Israel is committing genocide, Huckabee replied: “They’re doing a lousy job at genocide. If they wanted to do genocide, they could drop a few bombs and everybody would be dead.” “So the fact is that they are surgically going into Gaza, trying to get the civilians moved out of harm’s way. They announce to them with leaflets, with paging, with cell phone texts, with loudspeakers, and they’ve put it on every media outlet and social media and say, ‘If you’re in this area, get out. We’re going to attack it.'” “Now who else does that on all of the earth?

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Thursday excoriated French President Emmanuel Macron for praising Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’s “courage” for sending him a letter promising to “condemn terror and work toward the release of Israeli hostages, the demilitarization of Hamas, the end of the war in Gaza, reforms, elections, and just and lasting peace for all in the region.” The antisemitic Macron, who in recent months and weeks, has repeatedly condemned Israel and threatened to recognize a Palestinian state, is very “excited” by the letter, since it provides him a front of not legitimizing terror by authorizing a Palestinian state.

URGENT MESSAGE FROM IDF: Following the situational assessment, it was determined that as of today (Friday), at 03:00, immediate changes will be made to the Home Front Command Guidelines. As part of the changes, it was decided to shift all areas of the country from Full Activity to Essential Activity. The guidelines include: a prohibition on educational activities, gatherings, and workplaces, except for essential sectors.