Over the weekend, Israel experienced a missile and drone attack launched by Iran, which Israeli officials report was substantially thwarted. This retaliatory strike by Iran involved more than 300 missiles and drones directed at Israel in response to an earlier Israeli airstrike on an Iranian facility in Damascus. Despite the scale of the attack, Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, stated that nearly all projectiles were intercepted before reaching Israeli territory, resulting in minimal damage.
This is what a 99% interception rate looks like. Operational footage from the Aerial Defense System protecting the Israeli airspace: pic.twitter.com/eAwcUPUDw2
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 14, 2024
The IDF’s air defense capabilities, bolstered by cooperation from the United States and other international partners, successfully intercepted the vast majority of incoming threats. According to Hagari, about 170 drones and 30 cruise missiles launched by Iran were effectively neutralized. Additionally, of the over 120 ballistic missiles launched, only a few managed to reach Israeli territory, specifically impacting the Nevatim Air Force Base with only minor infrastructural damage reported.
The Israel Defense Force has released Footage showing Engineers of the Israeli Air Force in the process of Repairing a Hole in the Runway at Nevatim Airbase in the Negev Desert of Southern Israel; which was reported to have been the Primary Target of Large-Scale Iranian Attack… pic.twitter.com/Q0fkEEVANz
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 14, 2024
The successful interception efforts were highlighted by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who commended the effective response of Israeli forces and their allies. The United States played a significant role in the defense, with President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirming that U.S. forces intercepted numerous missiles and UAVs en route to Israel.
🔴 Watch: Israeli defense systems intercept Iranian missiles over the Temple Mount pic.twitter.com/oEebzijEGI
— Israel ישראל 🇮🇱 (@Israel) April 13, 2024
Despite the minimal physical damage, the attack resulted in injuries and a severe injury to a 10-year-old girl from shrapnel. The broader implications of the assault were addressed in a United Nations Security Council emergency meeting, convened at Israel’s request.
Multiple Iranian ballistic missiles appear to have landed in the Negev area; seen here, footage from near the impact site. pic.twitter.com/q2ZAMYmDok
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) April 13, 2024
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