Early Sunday morning, Israel found itself under siege as over 200 missiles and drones rained down from Iranian forces, prompting sirens and chaos across the nation.
The retaliatory strike, unprecedented in its scale, brought the Middle East to the brink of a broader conflict, raising global concerns about escalating tensions in the region.
For the first time in history, Iran launched a direct military assault on Israel, a move that was seen as a stark escalation in the longstanding animosity between the two nations, stemming from Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The international community swiftly condemned the attack, with France warning of the risk of escalation, Britain denouncing the recklessness of Iran’s actions, and Germany demanding an immediate halt to the aggression by Iran and its allies.
The Israeli military reported that Iran launched a barrage of drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, the majority of which were intercepted outside Israel’s borders. Despite Israel’s robust defense systems, several missiles breached the defenses, causing damage and casualties.
One such strike critically injured a 10-year-old girl in a southern Israeli town, while another targeted an army base, resulting in light damage but no casualties.
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israeli military, described the attack as a significant escalation, emphasizing the country’s commitment to defending its security.
When asked about potential retaliation, Hagari affirmed that Israel would take whatever measures necessary to safeguard its citizens.
The United States, a staunch ally of Israel, also reported downing some of the Iranian drones en route to Israel.
Iran’s motivation for the attack stemmed from an airstrike in Syria on April 1, which killed two Iranian generals. Iran accused Israel of orchestrating the attack, though Israel remained silent on the matter.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has been exacerbated by Israel’s six-month war against Hamas militants in Gaza, supported by Iran. The conflict, marked by cross-border attacks and retaliatory strikes, has claimed thousands of lives and inflicted widespread destruction.
Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group in Lebanon, has also intensified attacks along Israel’s northern border, further fueling hostilities. Concurrently, Iranian proxies in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen have launched rockets and missiles toward Israel, exacerbating the volatile situation.
In a brazen move, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard admitted to launching dozens of drones and missiles toward Israeli territories. The statement also included a warning to the United States, cautioning against any interference that could harm Iran’s interests.