Iran launched a significant offensive against Israel, deploying a barrage of drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles late on Saturday, as confirmed by Israel’s Defense Force (IDF).
Despite the intensity of the attack, the IDF claims that 99 percent of the projectiles were intercepted by Israel’s defense systems. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military’s spokesman, detailed that the majority of the intercepts occurred outside of Israeli airspace.
However, a few missiles breached Israel’s borders, causing damage and injuries. The assault, viewed as a direct military action by Iran against Israel for the first time, follows recent tensions stemming from a suspected Israeli strike in Syria, which resulted in the deaths of two Iranian generals.
International condemnation swiftly followed, with France, Britain, and Germany urging Iran to halt its aggressive actions. The escalation comes amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iranian-backed groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and militant factions in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.
In a statement, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard admitted to launching “dozens of drones and missiles” toward Israeli territories and positions, heightening tensions in the region.