Iran shoots over 300 ballistic, cruise missiles and drones; IDF says 99% intercepted by Israel and ‘our partners’
Majority of Iranian missiles were intercepted outside of Israel's borders
Dozens of surface-to-surface missile launches from Iran were detected approaching Israeli territory on Saturday night in response to the assassination of IRGC senior commander Mohammad Reza Zahedi.
There were also approximately 170 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched from Iran towards Israel. According to the IDF, none of the UAVs entered Israeli airspace.
On Sunday morning, IDF Spokesman Daniel Hagari said that 99% of the aerial threats were intercepted.
“Last night, Iran initiated an attack against Israel, launching over 300 threats of various types,” Hagari stated. “99% of the threats launched towards Israeli territory were intercepted - a very significant strategic achievement.”
Hagari said the IDF's Aerial Defense Array successfully intercepted the majority of the missile launches using the "Arrow" system. Others were intercepted by Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter planes.
IRAN ATTACKS ISRAEL: In major escalation, Tehran launches at least 100 military drones at Israeli cities — IDF prepares to retaliate.
— All Israel News (@all_israel_news) April 13, 2024
IDF shuts down all Israeli airspace to all civilian planes #IranAttack #israel #iranhttps://t.co/8bBOE1tjgK
Israel detected 30 cruise missile launches, 25 of which were intercepted by IAF fighter planes. Hagari confirmed that none of the cruise missiles entered Israeli territory.
Over 120 ballistic missile launches toward Israel were detected, with “only a few” crossing into Israeli territory.
Hagari also referred to “a strong fighting coalition” of “Israel's strategic allies,” which intercepted the missiles before they crossed into Israeli territory.
While Israel identified several of its partners, including the United States CENTCOM, the United Kingdom, and France, he also mentioned “other countries that operated last night,” without naming them.
Some analysts believe that several Arab countries participated in shooting down some of the missile and UAV launches that crossed into their territory, however, the countries were not disclosed due to threats from Iran to target any Arab nation that allows Israel to use its airspace.
According to Ynet News, Jordan intercepted several of the missile attacks. The United States maintains several missile defense batteries in Jordan.
Throughout the night, launches from Iranian terror proxies in Yemen and Iraq were also detected. Hagari said that none of those launches crossed into Israeli territory.
Israel also struck several Hezbollah sites in Lebanon – including some associated with the Radwan Force – in response to launches from Hezbollah-controlled territory.
A small number of hits were identified, including at an IAF base in southern Israel used by the F-35 “Adir” fighter jets. According to the IDF, there was minor damage to infrastructure, however, the IDF released evidence showing the base remains operational.
In his briefing, Hagari reported only one injury from the vast aerial barrage by Iran, a 7-year-old girl, who was severely injured by shrapnel. At the time of publication, there was no update on her condition.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
