99% of the threats were intercepted, but some damage was caused to a military base in the south of Israel, and a Bedouin child was injured by falling debris.
Iran launched a massive aerial attack on Israel overnight. According to Israeli sources that spoke to “The New York Times”, Iran fired 110 ground-to-ground missiles, and launched 185 UAVs and 35 cruise missiles, mots of them from Iranian territory but some from Yemen and Iraq. It was the biggest such attack Israel has ever had to deal with. 99% of the threats were intercepted, and the Iranians, who sought to hit a military installation, ultimately succeeded only in causing light damage to a base in the south of Israel. Nevertheless, air-raid sirens sounded several times in the Dimona area, where Israel’s nuclear facility is located, and a ten year-old Bedouin child was severely injured by the fallout from an interception.
The many successful interceptions were thanks to Israel’s multi-layered air defense array, from the short-range Iron Dome system to the David’s Sling, Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 systems, but also to assistance from others. US forces intercepted some of the threats, while British combat aircraft took off from the RAF base at Akrotiri in Cyprus to shoot down additional threats. Jordanian forces also intercepted threats over Jordanian territory aimed at Israel. Israel’s war cabinet has been authorized to decide on response, while Iran has warned countries of the region against allowing Israel to attack Iran from their territories.
Published by Globes, Israel business news – en.globes.co.il – on April 14, 2024.
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd., 2024.
Ashkelon April 14, 2024 credit: Reuters/Amir Cohen