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Iran launched drone attack on Israel – also fired rockets at Israel
The Israeli Iron Dome anti-aircraft defense in action (archive image)
© Bashar Taleb\ apaimages / Imago Images
Iran has launched a drone attack on Israel, according to the Israeli army. Iranian state media confirmed a retaliatory strike. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard also fired rockets.
According to Israeli information, Iran carried out a drone attack against Israel launched. Army spokesman Daniel Hagari confirmed this on Saturday evening. It will take several hours for the drones to reach Israeli territory.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard also fired rockets against Israel, according to state television. Accompanied by a massive drone attack, this was the “response to the Zionist regime’s most recent crimes,” said a statement from the Revolutionary Guards read out live on television.
The military in Israel is on high alert and monitoring the situation, according to a statement sent by the army via Telegram. The air defense system is on high alert, as are fighter jets and naval ships. Spokesman Hagari emphasized that the army is monitoring the situation and that all defense systems are ready. In addition, GPS reception is suppressed in various parts of the country.
Retired general Amos Jadlin tells Israel’s Channel 12 that each drone is loaded with 20 kilograms of explosives. According to Channel 12, Iran has also fired cruise missiles at Israel. Their flight time is shorter than that of drones. According to the Israeli broadcaster, around 100 drones and cruise missiles were fired. Some of them were intercepted via Syria and Jordan.
Iran confirms retaliatory strike against Israel
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard confirmed the attack on Israel. Specific locations in Israel are being targeted with drones and missiles, according to a statement distributed through state media. “A broad drone operation by the Revolutionary Guards against targets in the occupied country (Israel) began minutes ago,” state television said in subtitles shortly before midnight on Saturday.
In view of the tense security situation shortly before the attack, Israel had further increased the alert: The army issued new protection instructions for the civilian population, which were initially to apply from Saturday evening to Monday evening. US President Joe Biden was expected at the White House to discuss the attacks with his security team.
Military tensions in the Middle East escalated after two Iranian brigadier generals were killed in a suspected Israeli airstrike on Iran’s embassy compound in Syria on April 1.
Biden had assured Israel of the full support of the USA in view of the feared attack from Iran. On Saturday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin renewed that assurance.
Note: The article has been updated several times.