Shocking footage has emerged online showing the night sky glowing with explosions as Iran launched an unprecedented drone attack on Israel.
On Saturday, Iran fired over 300 drones and missiles from within its borders into areas such as Jerusalem. The Iranian government says this act was a reprisal for an airstrike that occurred last week, which resulted in the deaths of two top Iranian military generals in Syria.
Iran had accused Israel of orchestrating this strike, assuring retribution would follow. Sources state that F-35 Warplanes belonging to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) intercepted and downed these Iranian Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and missiles over Jordan, Syria, and Israel during seven hours of continuous action.
READ MORE: Israel 'jammed GPS signals' in days before Iran's 300-missile launch to confuse attackers
A general view of empty streets of the capital city as Iran launches dozens of drones towards Israel, in Tel Aviv, Israel on April 13, 2024 (Anadolu via Getty Images)After the Revolutionary Guards Corp of Iran launched this wave of lethal weapons, warning sirens were heard across cities in Israel around 2 am local time. Videos taken by citizens captured the horrifying sight of missiles sailing through the air before their subsequent detonation as warning sirens echoed throughout the area. Iranian state television also broadcasted what is believed to be footage depicting the large-scale missile releases.
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Iran stated that the attack was retaliation for the earlier airstrike on Syria, which it alleges was conducted by Israel, ending in the death of two high-ranking Iranian military officials. A US official, who is allegedly privy to information about the attacks, further explained that Iran had released dozens of drones.
As a measure to safeguard public safety, the Israeli military promptly closed schools and limited gatherings to no more than a thousand individuals. Rescuers reported that a 10-year-old girl was critically injured in a Bedouin Arab town in southern Israel due to one of the strikes, while Israeli army spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari revealed another missile hit an army base, resulting in minor damage but no casualties.
A view shows drones or missiles vying for targets at undisclosed locations in northern Israel, early 14 April 2024 (ATEF SAFADI/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)Hagari stated that Israel stands "prepared and ready" for both defensive and offensive measures. He also highlighted the "tight" collaboration with the US and other allies in the region, as American jets downed drones and British warplanes were deployed.
The strike has drawn international condemnation, with France warning that Iran "is risking a potential military escalation," the UK deeming the attack "reckless" and Germany demanding that Iran and its proxies "must stop it immediately."
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed that the RAF successfully shot down "a number" of Iranian assault drones amidst the conflict. The Prime Minister acknowledged the UK's role in an "international coordinated effort" to intercept over 300 drones and missiles, stating "the RAF sent additional planes to the region."
"This was a dangerous and unnecessary escalation which I have condemned in the strongest terms", he declared. "Thanks to an international coordinated effort, which the UK participated in, almost all of these missiles were intercepted, saving lives not just in Israel but in neighbouring countries like Jordan as well."
Iran attacks: Video released reportedly showing start of missile and drone attacks against Israel Iranian state TV released the video, which shows a number of launches aimed at Israel. (Iranian state TV)Saturday saw a wave of flight cancellations as nations shut their airspace during the attack. Major airports halted all operations while military aircraft patrolled Israel's skies following the assault. Iran, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Israel all imposed overnight airspace closures.
Although the airspace over these Middle Eastern countries has since reopened, according to Flightradar24, thousands of passengers are dealing with extended knock-on delays. Further away, Qantas, the Australian airline, has scrapped its direct non-stop route from Perth in Western Australia to London due to its refusal to fly over Iran.
United Airlines called off a flight from Newark airport in New Jersey, USA to Tel Aviv. A flight from Moscow to Tehran was rerouted to Russia's Dagestan. Russia's Aeroflot has delayed flights to Egypt and UAE. As of 7:30 a.m. (0430 GMT) on Sunday, Israel is thought to have reopened its airspace.
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