Iran has launched dozens of aerial drones and missiles at Israel, marking a widely anticipated reprisal attack.
It is the first such direct clash between the two enemies, who have been engaged in a years-long shadow war, with Iran using proxy forces.
The Israeli military said Israel and other countries had intercepted hundreds of missiles and drones, mostly outside Israeli airspace.
US President Joe Biden said “we helped Israel take down nearly all” of them.
“Iran and its proxies operating out of Yemen, Syria and Iraq launched an unprecedented air attack against military facilities in Israel,” he said, expressing strong condemnation.
After the start of the strike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a meeting of his military cabinet. Later, Netanyahu spoke with President Biden, who said that he repeated “America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel”.
In the words of Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, spokesman of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), some Iranian missiles struck within Israel, slightly damaged a military base but not harming anyone.
“Tonight’s wide-scale attack by the nation is a major escalation,” Mr Hagari said. “Together with our allies and partners, we are operating at full force to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel.”
Shortly before news of Iran’s launches, Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israel’s “defensive systems” were deployed.
“We are ready for any scenario, both defensively and offensively. The State of Israel is strong. The IDF is strong. The public is strong.
“We appreciate the US standing alongside Israel, as well as the support of Britain, France and many other countries.”
After speaking to Mr Netanyahu later he said “tomorrow I will convene my fellow G7 leaders to co-ordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack”.
UN Statements on Iran attack
UN Secretary General António Guterres issued a statement saying he “strongly condemn[ed] the serious escalation represented by the large-scale attack launched on Israel” by them.
He said he was calling for “an immediate cessation of these hostilities” and for all sides to exercise maximum restraint.
“Neither the region nor the world can afford another war,” he warned.
The UN Security Council will convene on Sunday for an emergency meeting over Iran’s attack on Israel, its president Vanessa Frazier said.
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