Israel Successfully Intercepts 99% of Iranian Drones and Missiles

Israel has praised the success of its defenses in the face of an attack by Iran involving hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles. An Israeli military spokesman said that more than 300 launches occurred, but 99% of them were intercepted. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari stated that Iran fired 170 drones, over 30 cruise missiles, and more than 120 ballistic missiles. Several ballistic missiles reached Israeli territory, causing minor damage to an airbase. The Iranian attack marked the first time Iran has launched a direct military assault on Israel, despite decades of enmity dating back to the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution.Israel and Iran have been on a collision course throughout Israel's six-month war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. The war erupted after Hamas and Islamic Jihad, two militant groups backed by Iran, carried out a devastating cross-border attack on October 7 that killed 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped 250 others. An Israeli offensive in Gaza has caused widespread devastation and killed over 33,000 people, according to local health officials.Iran's attack on Israel raised fears of a wider war, but all sides in the conflict also scored gains. The US helped Israel shoot down nearly all Iran-launched attack drones as President Joe Biden vowed support. Biden cut short a weekend stay at his Delaware beach house to meet with his national security team and monitor the situation in the Middle East as Iran launched an attack against Israel.The Israeli military is activating two reserve brigades for "operational activities" in Gaza as Israel prepares for a ground invasion of Rafah – the southern Gaza city that Israel says is Hamas' last major stronghold. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he is determined to complete the Gaza operation and claims that Israel has a plan to evacuate civilians from Rafah.Leaders of the G7 issued a statement "unequivocally condemning in the strongest terms Iran's direct and unprecedented attack against Israel." The group also stressed that Iran "with its actions, has further stepped toward the destabilisation of the region and risks provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation." The G7 leaders said that scenario must be avoided and demanded that Iran and its proxies cease their attacks.The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah hailed Iran for its early attack on southern Israel, saying it is the beginning of a "new phase" of the conflict with Israel and the Palestinian cause. Benny Gantz, a member of Israel's war cabinet, praised regional and international efforts that helped thwart the Iranian missile and drone attack. Jordan also indicated its military may have come to Israel's defense, despite being at odds with its neighbor over its war against Hamas in Gaza.The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement in support of Iran, saying Israel acted "in continuation of its crimes and in contravention of all diplomatic norms and international laws" by attacking an Iranian consulate in Syria. Iran's foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, said his country notified the United States before launching the strike against Israel.Yemen's Houthi rebels said Iran's unprecedented missile and drone attack on Israel was a "legitimate act" that came in response to an airstrike on Iran's consulate in Syria widely blamed on Israel. Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides said his nation "wasn't in any way involved" in any military action to thwart Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attack against Israel.German airline Lufthansa suspended regular flights to and from Tel Aviv, Amman, and Erbil through Monday due to security concerns in the Middle East. The British government moved "several additional" fighter jets and refueling tankers to the region following Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Iran's attack on Israel, drawing parallels to the war ravaging his own country where Russia has also used Iran-made drones. Pope Francis urged Iran and Israel to avoid new actions that could spark "a spiral of violence" and drag the Middle East deeper into conflict.Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned ambassadors from the UK, Germany, and France after they condemned an Iranian attack on Israel. Russia expressed concern following Iran's attack on Israel, hoping that Middle Eastern governments would resolve their problems through political and diplomatic means.Iran warned the US against cooperation with Israel in any new attack following its unprecedented attack on Israel. Hamas demanded a "clear written commitment" that Israel will withdraw from Gaza during a three-phase cease-fire deal proposed by Egyptian mediators.