Iran Fires Over 200 Drones & Missiles at Israel

By Yeshiva World News

For the first time in the State of Israel’s history, Iran has begun a direct attack on Israel, launching dozens of UAVs toward the Jewish state.

At 1:43 a.m. Israel time, sirens began to wail in the central Negev region, shortly followed by other regions across the country including the Jerusalem and Dead Sea areas, Golan Heights, Gush Etzion, Hebron, and Samaria.

When the attack began, the IDF spokesperson confirmed that Iran launched UAVs at Israel and requested that civilians heed the warnings of the Home Front Command. Hagari said that the drones will reach Israel in several hours and are being tracked by the Air Force. Channel 12 News reported that US intelligence officials first identified the launch and immediately notified Israel.

At about 11:20 p.m., Iran launched another round of drones and cruise missiles at Israel. About a half hour later, Iranian media reported that a third launch of drones was identified. Israeli security officials said that drones were also launched at Israel from Iraq and Yemen. At about 12:45 a.m. Iranian media reported the launch of medium-range ballistic missiles. At about 1:35 a.m., the IDF confirmed that Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israel.

US, British, Saudi and Jordanian forces assisted the Israeli Air Force in intercepting Iranian drones over Jordan, Iraq, and Syria. There were reports of explosions in those areas as the fighter jets destroyed most of the drones.

At about 1:15 a.m., the IDF spokesperson stated that “the residents of northern Ramat HaGolan, the Nevatim area, Dimona, and Eilat are asked to stay near a protected area until further notice. If a warning is sounded, you must enter the protected area.”

A senior US official told ABC News: “It is estimated that there will be 400-500 drones and missiles launched at Israel from Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and the Houthis, but most of them will be launched from Iran.”

At about 1:25 a.m, an Israeli security source told Army Radio that “over 100 UAVs launched at Israel have already been intercepted outside our territory by the US and Britain, out of hundreds of UAVs in total.”

Sirens went off in Jerusalem at about 1:46 a.m. along with numerous other cities across Israel. The sounds of booms were heard in Jerusalem. There were reports of a direct hit in Umm al-Fahm, an Arab-Israeli city in the Haifa area but it was later clarified that shrapnel from an interceptor missile fell in the city and no injuries were reported. A ten-year-old in a Bedouin town in the Negev, near the Israeli city of Arad, was seriously injured by shrapnel from an interceptor missile. MDA paramedics evacuated him to Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva in serious condition, sedated and ventilated.

Sunday, 2:25 a.m.: President Biden concluded a meeting with his national security team for an update on Iran’s attacks against Israel. “Our commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad,” the President stated.

I just met with my national security team for an update on Iran’s attacks against Israel. Our commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad. pic.twitter.com/kbywnsvmAx

— President Biden (@POTUS) April 13, 2024

Sunday, 2:29 a.m.: High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles: “The EU strongly condemns the unacceptable Iranian attack against Israel.

“This is an unprecedented escalation and a grave threat to regional security.”

At about 2:50 a.m., a US official told ABC News that Iran launched another 70 missiles.

IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said at about 3 a.m. that most of the over 200 drones and ballistic missiles fired at Israel were intercepted outside of Israel, over the skies of Jordan, Syria and Iraq. He also reported that the Nevatim air base in the Negev was “slightly damaged.” There are reports that the air base was hit by seven ballistic missiles.

Hagari said that the attack has not yet ended.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu convened a meeting of the war cabinet shortly after midnight at the underground military headquarters in Tel Aviv. It was reported at about 2 a.m. that the war cabinet approved a military response to Iran’s attack.

Israel’s Airport Authority announced that Israeli airspace will close at 12:30 a.m. and remain closed until 7:30 a.m.

At about 11:40 p.m., Iran confirmed that it launched an attack against Israel with a statement by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) saying: “We attacked targets in Israel with dozens of drones and missiles in response to the crimes of the Zionist regime, including the attack on the ‘consulate wing’ of the Iranian ’embassy’ in Damascus and the killing of our commanders and military advisers in Syria.”

The Iranian Defense Minister threatened that “any country that opens its airspace or territory to Israel in order to attack Iran – will be met with our decisive response.”

White House NSC spokesperson Adrienne Watson said: “Iran has begun an airborne attack against Israel. President Biden is being regularly updated on the situation by his national security team and will meet with them this afternoon at the White House. His team is in constant communication with Israeli officials as well as other partners and allies. This attack is likely to unfold over a number of hours. President Biden has been clear: our support for Israel’s security is ironclad. The United States will stand with the people of Israel and support their defense against these threats from Iran.”

Sunday, 2:20 a.m.: Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the attacks by the Iranian regime against Israel: “Canada unequivocally condemns Iran’s airborne attacks against Israel. We stand with Israel. After supporting Hamas’ brutal October 7 attack, the Iranian regime’s latest actions will further destabilize the region and make lasting peace more difficult.

“These attacks demonstrate yet again the Iranian regime’s disregard for peace and stability in the region. We support Israel’s right to defend itself and its people from these attacks.

“I am receiving regular updates from the National Security and Intelligence Advisor, the Chief of the Defence Staff, and the Clerk of the Privy Council as the situation develops. We are in contact with allies, and we will continue to monitor closely.”

Sunday, 3:13 a.m.: UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned Iran’s attack against Israel: “I strongly condemn the serious escalation represented by the large-scale attack launched on Israel by the Islamic Republic of Iran this evening. I call for an immediate cessation of these hostilities.

“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.

“I have repeatedly stressed that neither the region nor the world can afford another war.”

Sunday, 3:16 a.m.: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned Iran’s attack against Israel: “The air strike on Israeli territory that Iran launched last night is irresponsible and cannot be justified in any way. Iran is risking a conflagration. We stand closely by Israel’s side and will now discuss everything further with our allies.”

 

Footage: the Iranian missiles attack in Jerusalem’s skies. pic.twitter.com/8evqHIGyoD

— נריה קראוס Neria Kraus (@NeriaKraus) April 13, 2024

Hundreds of drones from Iran are on their way to Israel as well as cruising missiles.
This is Iran's official declaration of war on Israel. They have officially proclaimed their desire to destroy the State of Israel and have been working for years to promote terrorism with the… pic.twitter.com/LbpUS5XXuf

— יוסף חדאד – Yoseph Haddad (@YosephHaddad) April 13, 2024

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