Difficult Night for Israel: Netanyahu.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Iran's bombardment of Dimona and Arad as a "difficult night" for the Jewish state. Dimona houses Israel's nuclear programme and alleged nuclear weapon armaments. Arad, another settlement not far from Dimona, was also hit badly. Why did Iran strike Dimona in particular? Earlier on, Iran's nuclear site Natanz had been attacked by either US or Israeli munitions or both. So Iran struck back in kind at a nuclear facility in Israel. The IAEA, or the International Atomic Energy Agency, stated that there appeared to be no nuclear leakage from Natanz. And as for Dimona, the Iranian projectiles missed the nuclear site and landed around the area adjacent to the nuclear site, not direct hits. Israel never signed the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and is very coy about whether it has nuclear weapons or not. Therefore, the IAEA wouldn't be allowed to inspect the nuclear facilities. So, because the Iranian projectiles missed the Domina nuclear site, one would suspect there is no danger of leakage.

180 Israelis were injured in the attacks. The war is becoming a tit-for- tat escapade. "You bomb my nuclear facility, I'll bomb yours" is essentially what this is. As pathetic as this is, we have to realise that it is human beings who are being killed or injured in these attacks.

However, despite these setbacks for Israel, Bibi (Netanyahu) promised to carry on fighting. Israel's anti-projectile and anti-aircraft missiles, like David's Sling, Iron Dome, etc, are usually very good at intercepting drones and missiles. However, there have been times when the systems have failed. And missiles and drones have got through and done the job they were made to do. This happened in Natanz and Arad, much to the confusion of Israeli firefighters attending.

116 people were injured in Arad, including seven residents seriously, according to the Israeli Health Ministry. Extreme damage has been done to the city centre. 64 people were injured in Dimona. With one person in a serious condition. Several people also received shrapnel wounds when residential buildings collapsed. A 12-year-old boy was also wounded in the attacks.

There has been a heavy loss of life and injuries since the conflict began on 28 February. The heaviest loss by far has been Iran, with 1,500 dead and 200 children dead. This source of loss and the wounded comes from the Iranian Health Ministry.

Trump has given the Iranians 48 hours or so to open the Straits of Hormuz. Or else, face massive destruction on industrial targets. With between 2,000 and 5,000 US Marines (figures vary) on the way aboard the USS Tripoli, it looks like Trump means business. According to sources aboard the Tripoli, there are landing craft and helicopters. So what is Trump planning? Obviously, I am no military expert, but one would think that a limited military landing is in play. The US already bombed Kharg Island, taking out at least 90 military sites. So this could have been an attack on Iranian hardware that could oppose such a landing. Now I think about it, and if it is Trump's plan to land the Marines on Kharg Island to secure the island, it makes sense. Kharg Island exports around 90% of Iran's oil exports. If the US captured this island, it would choke off much of Iran's oil for export, which funds Iran's economy. Trump may want to hold onto the island as a bargaining chip or something more sinister.

The Iranians, for their part, maintain that the Hormuz Strait is not blocked. They are allowing shipping to pass unmolested, as long as it is not connected to the nations at war with it. Did Trump take into account that the Iranians would block vessels connected to the US or Israel or those supporting them from sailing through the Straits of Hormuz? Or did he dismiss it?

One cannot really tell what is going on at the Court of King Donald. Whether any of his ministers or advisors have the guts to be straight with him. Or are they a load of sycophants scared of telling him the truth and telling him what he wants to hear, even if the war is going badly?