Iran launched a “massive swarm” of about 300 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles toward Israel overnight, Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari said in an update of an earlier estimate of more than 200 weapons.
He said more than 99 percent were intercepted.
President Biden condemned the “brazen attack,” saying he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and affirmed the United States’ “ironclad commitment” to Israel’s security.
Hagari described the barrage as a “major escalation.” Iranian state media said the attack was in retaliation for the Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound this month in Syria that killed seven members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two senior commanders.
Nearly all of the drones and missiles were intercepted by Israel and its allies, although a number fell inside Israeli territory, causing minor damage to a military base. A10-year-old girl was seriously injured by shrapnel in the attack, Hagari said.
“Together with our allies and partners, we are operating at full force to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel. We will continue to fulfill this mission,” Hagari told reporters.
U.S. forces were responsible for “dozens” of interceptions, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Saturday night. Britain also deployed fighter jets to the region to help intercept any airborne attacks.
HC Network / Source : The Washington Post
