Worthy Christian News > Israel-Palestinian Conflict > Iran Fires More Than 300 Drones, Missiles At Israel, But Most Shot Down

Iran Fires More Than 300 Drones, Missiles At Israel, But Most Shot Down

By Worthy News’ George Whitten and Stefan J. Bos

JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Israel’s military said Sunday that Iran launched over 300 killer drones and missiles toward Israel but added that its successful air defenses thwarted 99 percent of the flying objects illuminating the sky over the Jewish nation.

Yet children suffered as a young girl from the Negev area was lightly injured during the attack, officials said. Separately, a 10-year-old boy from a Bedouin town is in serious condition after being wounded by shrapnel following the interception of a drone, medics explained, and there were fears the attack could lead to a broader Middle East war. Later on Sunday news emerged that three Jordanians were killed, while a few dozen others were treated for anxiety due to the attacks.

The announcements came as U.S. President Joe Biden planned to convene a meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) advanced democracies on Sunday “to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack.” Christians around the world, including in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim nation, have been praying for Israel. “We are praying today in our Church for the Jewish nation,” a Christian told Worthy News.

Israeli sources had earlier said that Indonesia seeks to normalize relations with Israel, but its foreign ministry made clear over the weekend that more time is needed to establish normal diplomatic relations with tensions rising.

As a new day began in Israel, many returned home from shelters. “Iran launched more than 300 threats, and 99 percent were intercepted,” confirmed Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesman. “That is a success.”

Hagari said Iran launched about 170 drones, of which “zero crossed into Israeli territory.” He said every one of the 30 cruise missiles fired by Iran also failed to reach Israeli territory, with 25 being intercepted by Israeli fighter jets.

“Out of over 120 ballistic missiles, only a few crossed into Israeli territory, with the rest being intercepted. These fell at the Nevatim Air Force Base, causing only minor damage to infrastructure,” the IDF spokesperson stressed.

ISRAEL REACTION

Asked if Israel would respond, Hagari said the country would do what was needed to protect its citizens.

U.S., British, and Jordanian forces in the region were also involved in shooting down Iranian drones and missiles despite Tehran’s warning to the United States to stay out of the conflict, officials said.

French military planes also contributed “in patrolling airspace” for Israel during the assault, IDF spokesperson Hagari explained on Sunday.

Tehran had threatened to retaliate against Israel after its consulate in Damascus, Syria, was hit by a suspected Israeli strike that killed several high-ranking Iranian officials.

The Islamic Republic accused Israel of killing top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Mohammad Reza Zahedi on April 1, among others.

He had reportedly directed Iran’s indirect attacks on Israel in Lebanon and Syria and was a top coordinator with the Hezbollah militia.

The strikes were reportedly backed by Tehran’s allies, including Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who launched multiple drones at Israel in coordination with Iran, security sources said.

BRITAIN SECURITY

Britain-based security firm Ambrey suggested that the projectiles were likely timed to reach Israel simultaneously with Iran’s missiles and drones.

“Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were reportedly launched by the Houthis toward Israel. The UAVs were launched in coordination with Iran,” the company says. “Israeli ports are assessed to be potential targets,” it adds and warns of “collateral damage” to shipping.

Besides the Houthis, Lebanon-based Hezbollah said they fired dozens of Katyusha rockets from Lebanon towards the Golan Heights, setting off sirens in the Snir kibbutz, officials said.

It added to military challenges as Iran already launched its weapons against Israel. Spokesman Hagari earlier praised Israel’s allies for supporting its efforts to defend itself.

“Together [with our partners], we are operating at this very moment. So far, we have intercepted a vast majority of missiles, attack drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles outside of Israel’s border,” Hagari stressed.

Almost all interceptions, the military said, have been by aircraft and military interception systems such as the David’s Sling.

The Iron Dome, which defends well against Hamas and Hezbollah’s simple rockets, is “less relevant for drones and fancier long-range missiles,” according to experts.

IRAN STRIKE

Shortly after the Iranian strike began, Iraqi officials announced that Iraqi airspace was being closed. Lebanon and Jordan also decided to close their airspace on Saturday night.

Several drones were seen flying from the direction of Iran over Iraq’s Sulaymaniya province, security sources said. Additional waves of drones and missiles were seen over other areas in Iraq and Jordan later in the night.

Jordanian jets reportedly shot down dozens of Iranian drones. Egypt’s air defense was also on alert, with the Egyptian military and security sources saying they feared an Iranian drone attack aimed toward Israel.

British Royal Air Force jets in the Middle East “will intercept any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions, as required” after Iran targeted Israel with drones and missiles, a spokesperson said.

“In response to increased Iranian threats and the growing risk of escalation in the Middle East, the UK Government has been working with partners across the region to encourage de-escalation and prevent further attacks,” the statement added.

Iraqi security sources told Arabic media that several Iranian missiles fell near Yusufiya, south of Baghdad, on Saturday night.

An Iranian drone also fell in Shiraz in south-central Iran, Iranian sources said.

WARNING IRAN

The Iranian attack against Israel sparked panic in Iran and Lebanon. Witnesses saw long lines in gas stations in Iran and Lebanon, where residents rushed to prepare for a feared escalation in the region after Iran attacked Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a video message before the attack, said that “in recent years, and even more so in recent weeks, Israel has been preparing for the possibility of a direct attack from Iran.”

He warned Tehran that “whoever harms us, we will hurt them. We will protect ourselves from any threat, and we will do so with steadfastness and determination.”

“Together we will overcome all our enemies,” he said as he urged Israelis to listen to the Home Front Command directives and thanked Israel’s allies, such as the US, France, and Britain, “for standing with the Jewish state.”

“Our defense systems are deployed. We are prepared for any scenario, both in defense and attack,” Netanyahu pledged, adding that the IDF, the state, and the public “were strong.”

Back in Washington D.C., the White House said that “US President Joe Biden is being regularly updated on the situation by his national security team and will meet with them this afternoon at the White House.”

President Biden “has been clear: our support for Israel’s security is ironclad. The United States will stand with the people of Israel and support their defense against these threats from Iran,” stressed the White House.

Biden and Netanyahu spoke over the phone early Sunday morning for about half an hour, and the United Nations Security Council was to hold an emergency meeting on Sunday afternoon in light of the attack.