In an unprecedented large-scale military attack, Iran launched more than 300 drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles at Israel early Sunday, prompting air raid sirens and loud booms across the country. According to the Israeli military, 99% of the projectiles were intercepted, with most of them being neutralized outside Israeli airspace, reports AP.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), described the interception effort as “a very significant strategic success.” He detailed that Iran fired 170 drones, over 30 cruise missiles, and more than 120 ballistic missiles. While most were shot down, a few ballistic missiles did strike Israeli territory, causing minor damage to a military air base.
One serious casualty was reported: a 7-year-old girl from a Bedouin Arab town in southern Israel was critically injured, possibly by a missile strike. Authorities are still investigating the exact circumstances of her injuries.
The attack marks the first direct assault by Iran on Israeli soil, signaling a major escalation in tensions between the two long-time adversaries. The strike came less than two weeks after a suspected Israeli airstrike in Syria killed two Iranian generals inside an Iranian consular facility.
Israel credited its multi-layered defense systems, particularly the Arrow system—designed to intercept ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere—for much of the successful defense. Israeli warplanes also intercepted 10 cruise missiles, according to the IDF. “The incident is not yet over,” Hagari cautioned. “Dozens of Israeli aircraft remain in the skies.” When asked about a possible Israeli counterattack, he stated only that the military “does and will do whatever is required to protect the security of the state of Israel.”
Global condemnation of the Iranian attack was swift. The United Nations Secretary-General and leaders from France, the UK, and Germany all denounced the escalation. France warned that Iran was “risking a potential military escalation,” while Britain called the strike “reckless” and Germany urged Iran and its proxies to stop immediately.
The situation remains fluid, with international leaders closely monitoring the aftermath of what could be a turning point in regional hostilities.