Israel’s military has reported minor damage after Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles towards it late on Saturday
Iran attack on Israel – live updatesFull report: Iran launches drones and cruise missiles against Israel
Iran launched hundreds of drones as well as cruise missiles towards Israel, in the Islamic Republic’s first ever direct attack on the Jewish state, in response to the 1 April strike on an Iranian diplomatic building in the Syrian capital, Damascus, which killed a senior figure in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards and eight other officers.
“Very little damage was caused,” according to Israel’s defence minister, Yoav Gallant. An Israel Defense Forces spokesperson said 99% of the more than 300 missiles and drones were intercepted. Sirens blared across the country and explosions were visible in the sky as the first wave reached Israel at about 2am local time (midnight BST) and Israeli air defence systems went to work.
Iranian strikes caused “minor damage” to the Nevatim airbase in the south of Israel, the army spokesperson Daniel Hagari said on Sunday. “Only a few missiles fell in the territory of the state of Israel with slight damage to a military base in the south, with only slight damage to the infrastructure,” Hagari said in a statement.
Iran warned Israel on Sunday of a larger attack on its territory should it retaliate against Tehran’s overnight drone and missile attack, adding that US bases would be targeted if Washington backed any Israeli military action against Iran.
As of Sunday morning, Israeli officials indicated no decision had been made about a response to the Iranian attack, as an official said any potential response would be discussed at the war cabinet meeting. Israel’s war cabinet, comprising Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, the country’s defence minister, Yoav Gallant, and Benny Gantz, is due to meet at 3.30pm (12.30 GMT) to discuss a response to the attack.
The US secretary of defence, Lloyd Austin, said US forces intercepted “dozens of missiles and UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] en route to Israel”, while Gallant praised the assistance of the US and “additional partners”.
The US president, Joe Biden, said Iran was aided by its proxy forces in Yemen, Syria and Iraq. He praised the work of US military personnel in helping to bring down “nearly all” of the drones and missiles fired by Iran. Biden cut short a weekend stay at his Delaware beach house to return to the White House to meet his national security team. He has said he will convene a meeting of G7 leaders on Sunday.
Royal Air Force fighter jets and refuelling aircraft were also involved in Israel’s defence, taking off from bases in Cyprus. Their role, according to the UK Ministry of Defence, was to fill in for the US air force in the sorties against Islamic State normally carried out over Iraq and north-eastern Syria, but also to intercept Iranian drones if they came into the UK area of operations.
Jordan intercepted some flying objects that entered its airspace on Saturday night to ensure the safety of its citizens, a cabinet statement said on Sunday. Jordan, which lies between Iran and Israel, had readied air defences to intercept any drones or missiles that violated its territory, two regional security sources told Reuters.
World leaders have condemned Iran’s attack, with regional powers including Saudi Arabia and Egypt calling for restraint. The UN secretary general, António Guterres, said: “I am deeply alarmed about the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation. I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East.”
Continue reading… The Guardian Read More Israel’s military has reported minor damage after Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles towards it late on Saturday Iran attack on Israel – live updatesFull report: Iran launches drones and cruise missiles against IsraelIran launched hundreds of drones as well as cruise missiles towards Israel, in the Islamic Republic’s first ever direct attack on the Jewish state, in response to the 1 April strike on an Iranian diplomatic building in the Syrian capital, Damascus, which killed a senior figure in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards and eight other officers.“Very little damage was caused,” according to Israel’s defence minister, Yoav Gallant. An Israel Defense Forces spokesperson said 99% of the more than 300 missiles and drones were intercepted. Sirens blared across the country and explosions were visible in the sky as the first wave reached Israel at about 2am local time (midnight BST) and Israeli air defence systems went to work.Iranian strikes caused “minor damage” to the Nevatim airbase in the south of Israel, the army spokesperson Daniel Hagari said on Sunday. “Only a few missiles fell in the territory of the state of Israel with slight damage to a military base in the south, with only slight damage to the infrastructure,” Hagari said in a statement.Iran warned Israel on Sunday of a larger attack on its territory should it retaliate against Tehran’s overnight drone and missile attack, adding that US bases would be targeted if Washington backed any Israeli military action against Iran.As of Sunday morning, Israeli officials indicated no decision had been made about a response to the Iranian attack, as an official said any potential response would be discussed at the war cabinet meeting. Israel’s war cabinet, comprising Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, the country’s defence minister, Yoav Gallant, and Benny Gantz, is due to meet at 3.30pm (12.30 GMT) to discuss a response to the attack.The US secretary of defence, Lloyd Austin, said US forces intercepted “dozens of missiles and UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] en route to Israel”, while Gallant praised the assistance of the US and “additional partners”.The US president, Joe Biden, said Iran was aided by its proxy forces in Yemen, Syria and Iraq. He praised the work of US military personnel in helping to bring down “nearly all” of the drones and missiles fired by Iran. Biden cut short a weekend stay at his Delaware beach house to return to the White House to meet his national security team. He has said he will convene a meeting of G7 leaders on Sunday.Royal Air Force fighter jets and refuelling aircraft were also involved in Israel’s defence, taking off from bases in Cyprus. Their role, according to the UK Ministry of Defence, was to fill in for the US air force in the sorties against Islamic State normally carried out over Iraq and north-eastern Syria, but also to intercept Iranian drones if they came into the UK area of operations.Jordan intercepted some flying objects that entered its airspace on Saturday night to ensure the safety of its citizens, a cabinet statement said on Sunday. Jordan, which lies between Iran and Israel, had readied air defences to intercept any drones or missiles that violated its territory, two regional security sources told Reuters.World leaders have condemned Iran’s attack, with regional powers including Saudi Arabia and Egypt calling for restraint. The UN secretary general, António Guterres, said: “I am deeply alarmed about the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation. I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East.” Continue reading…
