Iran launched an unprecedented drone and missile attack late against Israel Saturday night, marking the first time it attacked the Jewish State from its own soil.
As per the Israel Defense Forces, Iran launched about 170 suicide drones, 30 cruise missiles, and over 120 ballistic with 99% of them being intercepted by Israel and its regional partners. As news of the attack spread, citizens across the country were advised to remain close to bomb shelters due to the brief ten-minute window in which a ballistic missile from Iran could potentially reach Israel.
In addition, the IDF Home Front canceled schools and limited the size of large gatherings and services. In some areas, such as near the Gaza envelope and along the Israeli-Lebanon border, gatherings were restricted altogether.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the country to brace for a direct attack from Iran and warned that Israel would respond in full force.
“Citizens of Israel, in recent years, and even more so in recent weeks, Israel has been preparing for the possibility of a direct attack from Iran. Our defense systems are deployed, and we are prepared for any scenario, both in defense and offense. The State of Israel is strong, the IDF is strong, the public is strong,” Netanyahu said.
“I established a clear principle — whoever hurts us, we will hurt them. We will defend ourselves from any threat and we will do so calmly and with determination.”
Reports suggest that a number of Iranian missiles landed in Israel, inflicting minor damage on a military facility. While the missiles themselves did not result in any casualties, a seven-year-old Bedouin girl was critically injured by shrapnel from Israel’s Iron Dome interceptor defense system.
