Iran launches unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel

Iran’s allies, Lebanese Hezbollah and Yemeni Houthi rebels carried out anti-Israeli attacks at the same time on Saturday, the first by firing rockets at the Golan, the second by launching drones.

This is the first direct attack ever carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran against the territory of Israel, its sworn enemy. Tehran launched, on the evening of Saturday April 13, drones and missiles against the Jewish state.

The operation was launched “in response to the numerous crimes committed by the Zionist regime, including the attack on the consular section of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Damascus”in Syria, Iranian state television explained.

The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, whose army is engaged in a war in Gaza, immediately gathered his staff and his close collaborators in a bunkered room, according to his services. In the early hours of Sunday, several detonations were heard in the sky in Jerusalem, where warning sirens sounded, according to AFP journalists. Sirens were also activated in the Negev region (in the South) and in the north of the country, according to the army.

“Iran reaches a new level”, according to Paris

At the same time, Iran’s allies Lebanese Hezbollah and Yemeni Houthi rebels have carried out anti-Israeli attacks. The first fired rockets at the Golan, Syrian territory occupied by Israel. The latter launched drones towards Israeli territory.

The Israeli army clarified on Sunday, around 2 a.m. (Paris time), that “the majority” drones and missiles had been intercepted using the air defense system, “in collaboration with Israel’s strategic allies before the shots penetrate Israeli territory”. “A number of Iranian missiles fell in Israeli territory, causing minor damage to a military base but without causing any casualties”according to Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israeli army.

“There is only one little girl who was injured and we hope she will recover”, he added. She was evacuated in serious condition to Soroka hospital in Beersheva, according to the spokesperson for the health establishment.

US President Joe Biden once again assured ally Israel of his support “unshakeable”. “By deciding to take such an unprecedented action, Iran is taking a new level in its destabilizing actions and taking the risk of a military escalation”for his part reacted Stéphane Séjourné, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, on. “The EU condemns the unacceptable Iranian attack on Israel. It constitutes an unprecedented escalation and a serious threat to regional security”declared the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell.