IranAttacksIsrael Benjamin Netanyahu vows response against Iran's drone attack; Israel claims to have intercepted over 300 missiles
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Sunday said that his country has been preparing for a direct attack by Iran for years and will "harm" anyone who harms them.
His reponse came as Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps launched dozens of drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday in retaliation against a strike on its consular building in Syria.
"In recent years, and especially in recent weeks, Israel has been preparing for a direct attack by Iran. Our defensive systems are deployed; we are ready for any scenario, both defensively and offensively. The State of Israel is strong. The IDF is strong. The public is strong," Netanyahu said.
Israel claimed to have intercepted all the ballistic missiles and drones launched by Iran in an unprecedented attack late Saturday and failed to meet their mark.
Most of the more than 300 Iranian munitions, the majority of which are believed to have been launched from inside of Iran’s territory during a five-hour attack, were intercepted before they got to Israel, more than 1,100 miles (1,770 kilometers) from their launch points.
Israel’s military said Sunday that “99%” of projectiles fired by Iran were intercepted by Israel and its partners, with only “a small number” of ballistic missiles reaching Israel.
According to reports, 170 drones, more than 30 cruise missiles, and more than 120 ballistic missiles were launched at Israel by Iran overnight Saturday, the Israeli military said.
US response:
US President Joe Biden condemned the attack and promised "ironclad" support for Israel, after holding an urgent meeting with his top security officials over the spiraling crisis in the Middle East.
"I just met with my national security team for an update on Iran's attacks against Israel. Our commitment to Israel's security against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad," Biden said on X.
I condemn Iran's attacks in the strongest possible terms and reaffirm America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel.
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 14, 2024
My full statement on Iran’s attacks against Israel: pic.twitter.com/EuPJZoGw6w
Biden said in a statement that he would convene his fellow leaders of the G7 group of wealthy nations on Sunday to coordinate a "united diplomatic response" to Iran's "brazen" attack.
"Iran -- and its proxies operating out of Yemen, Syria and Iraq -- launched an unprecedented air attack against military facilities in Israel. I condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms," Biden said.
US forces have been shooting down drones launched by Iran towards Israel, a defence official said. "Our forces remain postured to provide additional defensive support and to protect US forces operating in the region," he said.
President Biden also spoke to Benjamin Netanyahu over the phone.
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