JERUSALEM. Israel was rocked by a barrage of more than 300 drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles launched by Iran in the early hours of Sunday, setting off air raid sirens across the nation. Despite the scale of the attack, Israeli military sources reported that an astounding 99% of the incoming threats were intercepted, marking a significant defensive success.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, describing the outcome as “a very significant strategic success,” revealed that Iran had unleashed 170 drones, over 30 cruise missiles, and in excess of 120 ballistic missiles. While some ballistic missiles breached Israeli territory, causing minor damage to an air base, the vast majority of the assault was effectively neutralized.
Tragically, a 7-year-old girl in a Bedouin Arab town in southern Israel sustained serious injuries, allegedly from a missile strike, prompting ongoing investigations by authorities.
In Washington, President Joe Biden confirmed U.S. assistance in thwarting “nearly all” of the drones and missiles, vowing to rally allies for a coordinated response to the attack. The assault, coming less than two weeks after a suspected Israeli strike in Syria that killed two Iranian generals, marked the first direct military assault by Iran on Israel, intensifying longstanding hostilities.
International condemnation swiftly followed, with France warning of potential military escalation, Britain condemning the attack as reckless, and Germany urging Iran and its proxies to cease hostilities immediately.
Hagari stressed that the majority of intercepts occurred outside Israel’s borders, underscoring the magnitude of Iran’s escalation. While Israel’s response remains undisclosed, Hagari affirmed the military’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s security, with dozens of Israeli warplanes maintaining vigilance in the skies.
Israel’s military credited its Arrow system, designed to intercept ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere, for the successful defense, with support from strategic partners.
President Biden reaffirmed America’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security in a statement following his conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The attack comes amidst heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, exacerbated by Israel’s ongoing conflict against Hamas militants in Gaza.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for the assault, issuing a direct warning to the U.S. against further interference. The escalating situation has put the region on edge, with fears of further retaliation and the potential for a wider conflict looming large.
As diplomatic efforts intensify to defuse tensions, the international community closely monitors developments, hoping to prevent further escalation and restore stability to the volatile region.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
