Sirens and Blasts Heard Across Israel Following Iranian Drone and Missile Attacks

Sirens wailed as Reuters journalists in Israel reported hearing distant heavy thuds and bangs from what local media called aerial interceptions of explosive drones. Authorities stated that a 7-year-old girl was critically injured. Israel’s military spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, announced that Iran had launched dozens of ground-to-ground missiles at Israel, with most being intercepted outside Israeli borders. He reported that the Iranian salvo included more than 10 cruise missiles and amounted to more than 200 drones and missiles.

Hagari added that the engagement had not ended, and Israeli forces were still intercepting incoming threats. Iran vowed retaliation for what it called an Israeli strike on its Damascus consulate, which resulted in the death of seven Guards officers, including two senior commanders. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the consulate attack. The Iranian mission to the United Nations warned the U.S. to “stay away” and stated that Iran now “deemed the matter concluded.”

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned Iran’s attack and expressed deep alarm about the danger of a devastating region-wide escalation. US President Joe Biden, after warning Iran against an attack, cut short a visit to meet national security advisers in the White House Situation Room and pledged to stand with Israel. The Gaza war between Israel and Hamas, now in its seventh month, has driven up tensions in the region, drawing long-range fire at Israeli targets from as far away as Yemen and Iraq. Clashes threaten to escalate into a direct conflict pitting Iran and its regional allies against Israel and its main supporter, the United States.

US and British warplanes were reportedly involved in shooting down some Israel-bound drones over the Iraq-Syria border area. Israel’s military warned residents of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights to stay close to bomb shelters, putting the area on standby for possible impact from drone strikes. Israel and Lebanon announced the closure of their airspace. Syria, an ally of Iran, put its ground-to-air defence systems around the capital and major bases on high alert.

Jordan readied air defences, while Lebanon’s Hezbollah claimed to have fired rockets at an Israeli base. Iran reported that a Guards helicopter had seized a Portuguese-flagged ship, MSC Aries, and that it was working with relevant authorities for its safe return and the wellbeing of its 25 crew.