Israel
Israel thwarts 99 per cent of Iranian attacks, with help of US, UK and Arab allies
Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles towards Israel last night
April 14, 2024 08:04
Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles towards Israel last night
April 14, 2024 08:04Israel successfully thwarted 99 per cent of the attacks by Iran on Saturday night, Israel’s IDF spokesperson has said, calling it “a very significant strategic achievement”.
Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles towards Israel in the late hours of Saturday night.
Hagari said that none of the approximately 30 cruise missiles crossed into Israeli territory, with 25 of them being intercepted by Israeli fighter jets.
Only a few of the 120 ballistic missiles launched crossed into Israel’s territory, he said, falling on the Nevatim Air Force Base “causing only minor damage to infrastructure”. Hagari added that the base continued to be operational and “continues to carry out its missions”.
In dramatic footage on social media, drones launched by Iran were seen being intercepted over Jerusalem’s Temple Mount.
Dramatic footage of Israeli interceptions of Iranian rockets over the Dome of the Rock #AlAqsaMosque https://t.co/TaJ21LI4g0
— Lt. Col. (R) Peter Lerner (@LTCPeterLerner) April 13, 2024
He said: “Iran committed a very serious act tonight, pushing the Middle East towards escalation. We are doing and will do everything necessary to protect the security of the civilians of the State of Israel.”
“Iran hoped to incapacitate the base and thus impair our aerial capabilities, but it failed.”
Hagari said that a 10-year-old girl had been severely injured by shrapnel and “we wish her a speedy recovery”, but no other casualties had been reported.
Several overnight attacks were also launched from Iraq and Yemen, but none crossed into Israeli territory said the IDF spokesperson and in recent hours, dozens of rockets had been fired from Lebanese territory towards the north of Israel. There were no reported casualties.
The US, UK, Jordanian and French militaries all assisted Israel in its defence response, with US and RAF fighter jets reportedly shooting down Iranian drones near the Syria-Iraq border.
After weeks of increasing tensions between the US and Israel over the war in Gaza, President Biden has publicly pledged his support for Israel in its defence against Iran.
But, according to multiple sources, Biden has told Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that the United States would neither support not join any retaliatory attacks from Israel against Iran.
However, warned Hagari “The event is not over” and Israel remained prepared for further threats.
For the Israeli public, restrictions remain in place, with the halting of educational activities, including overnight stays and trips.