Iran launches hundreds of drones and missiles in first direct attack on Israel

• Published date: 15 April 2024
• Author: MARK WEISS
• Publication title: Irish Times (Dublin, Ireland)

in Jerusalem

Iran launched more than 330 projectiles towards Israel overnight Saturday, marking the first time the Islamic state has directly attacked its arch-enemy.

One hundred and ten ballistic missiles, 36 cruise missiles and 185 explosive drones were fired from Iran, which has no common border with Israel, and by pro-Iranian militias based in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

Remarkably, 99 per cent of the projectiles were intercepted, with only a handful landing in Israel, in what defence minister Yoav Gallant termed one of the most dramatic nights in Israel’s history.

No one was killed and only minor damage was caused. Many of the incoming projectiles were successfully intercepted by Israel’s multi-layered missile defence systems, many hundreds of kilometres from Israel’s border. Others were hit by Israeli aircraft.

The US, Britain, France and Jordan also participated in thwarting the Iranian attack, intercepting incoming projectiles.

Tehran said its strike was punishment for “Israeli crimes”, specifically the attack on its embassy compound in the Syrian capital Damascus almost two weeks ago that killed seven Revolutionary Guard officers, including two senior commanders. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for that attack.

Iran made clear it considered the weekend attack a one-off strike, but warned Israel it would respond with force to any retaliation, raising the spectre of a deadly, all-out war that could plunge the entire Middle East into chaos. “Should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe,” Teheran said.

Urged restraint

Western powers, led by the United States, which have spent months criticising Israel over its conduct of the Gaza war...