Iran has fired hundreds of missiles into Israel, at least some of which have touched down on Israeli territory. This is Iran’s second attack of the year, following hundreds of missiles and drone strikes against Israel in April.
Although it is still unknown how much damage was done, Israeli military officials stated that the attacks seemed to be over and that Iran was no longer a threat “for now”.
Following the attack, Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, issued a warning about “consequences”.
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This is what we currently know;
Why did Iran attack Israel?
The IRGC claimed that the attacks were in response to Israel’s killing of one of its top commanders and leaders of Iran-backed militias in the region.
On September 27, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and IRGC commander Abbas Nilforoshan were killed in Beirut, Lebanon.
It also mentioned the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July. While Israel has not admitted responsibility for Haniyeh’s death, it is widely believed to be the culprit.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country’s Supreme Leader, personally ordered Tuesday’s missile attack.
Iran rejects Israel’s right to exist and seeks to eradicate it. It has spent years supporting paramilitary groups opposed to Israel.
Israel believes Iran poses an existential threat and has spent years conducting covert operations against Tehran.
What was the scale of Iran’s attack?
According to the Israeli military, Iran fired about 180 missiles in the direction of Israel. With about 110 ballistic missiles and 30 cruise missiles fired towards Israel in April, that would make it a slightly bigger attack than the previous one.
A few missiles were seen flying over the Tel Aviv region in footage that was carried by Israeli TV just before 19:45 local time (16:45 GMT).
An Israeli security official claimed that Israeli air defense systems had shot down the majority of the missiles, but a BBC correspondent in Jerusalem claimed that schools and restaurants had also been hit in addition to possible damage to some military bases.
According to Irain’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), hypersonic missiles were fired for the first time, and 90% of projectiles struck their targets. Three Israeli military bases were targeted, according to IRGC sources.
According to the Palestinian Civil Defence Authority in the occupied West Bank city of Jericho, a man was killed during the Iranian missile barrage.
According to AFP, which spoke with city governor Hussein Hamayel, the victim was killed by falling rocket debris.
Israeli officials have not reported any serious injuries as a result of Tuesday’s air attacks, but Israeli medics say two people were lightly injured by shrapnel.
Did the Iron dome stop the missiles?
Israel has an advanced system of air defenses, the most well-known of which is the Iron Dome. It is designed to intercept short-range rockets fired by Hamas and Hezbollah.
While it was used to defend against some elements of Iran’s previous attack in April, other components of the country’s “layered” defense systems likely did the majority of the work on Tuesday.
David’s Sling – a joint US-Israeli manufactured system – is used to intercept medium to long-range rockets, as well as ballistic and cruise missiles. And when it comes to long-range ballistic missiles, which fly outside the Earth’s atmosphere, Israel has the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 interceptors.
How have Israel’s allies reacted?
Following the missile attack, US President Joe Biden reaffirmed US support for Israel, describing it as “defeated and ineffective”.
He had directed his forces in the region to “aid Israel’s defence” by shooting down Iranian missiles.
According to a Pentagon spokesperson, US Navy destroyers fired approximately a dozen interceptors against Iranian missiles en route to Israel.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also confirmed “multiple” interceptions by the US, condemning “this outrageous act of aggression by Iran”.
Defence Secretary John Healey said British forces had “played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation” on Tuesday evening, without giving more details.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK stood with Israel and recognised her “right to self-defence”.
France and Japan added their voices to a chorus of condemnation of Iran’s attacks and also called on all parties to avoid further escalation.
What happens next?
Netanyahu stated that Iran had made a “big mistake” and would “pay for it”.
“We have plans, and we will operate at the time and place we decide,” said Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Daniel Haggari.
Iran’s IRGC stated that if Israel retaliated, Tehran’s response would be “more crushing and ruinous”.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military launched new air strikes against Hezbollah targets in Beirut overnight, after warning residents to leave the city’s southern suburbs, where the group is present.
