Iran launches missiles at Israel in retaliation to Syria airstrike, some intercepted by US air defense

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Iran launched more than 200 missiles and drones toward Israel on Saturday, April 13, evening in a retaliatory attack, reported CBS News.

According to Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Daniel Hagari, the vast majority of the missiles were intercepted outside Israeli territory by Israel’s aerial defense systems. US air defense systems in the Middle East also intercepted some Iranian drones, shared two US officials.

However, Hagari did indicate that an unknown number of missiles reached their target, and at least one child was reportedly wounded in the attack.

The attack is considered to be in retaliation for an airstrike on an Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, on April 1 that resulted in the death of seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Israel's statements over the attack

An earlier statement by the IDF read, "The IDF is on high alert and is constantly monitoring the operational situation. The IDF Aerial Defense Array is on high alert, along with IAF fighter jets and Israeli Navy vessels that are on a defense mission in Israeli airspace. The IDF is monitoring all targets."

Israel had closed its airspace at midnight and fully activated its air defense systems ahead of the assault. The drones took several hours to reach Israel airspace, as IDF reported alarms going off close to 2 am local time. Alarms went off in southern Israel, by the Dead Sea, in Jerusalem, and the Shomron area.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the attack by stating, "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."

"We appreciate the US standing alongside Israel, as well as the support of Britain, France and many other countries. We have determined a clear principle: Whoever harms us, we will harm them. We will defend ourselves against any threat and will do so level-headedly and with determination," he added.

President Joe Biden returns to the White House

President Joe Biden cut short his weekend getaway and made his way back to the White House earlier on Saturday to prepare for the imminent attack. He held a long meeting with the National Security Council and spoke with Netanyahu later in the evening.

A previous statement from the White House read, "President Biden is being regularly updated on the situation by his national security team and will meet with them this afternoon at the White House. His team is in constant communication with Israeli officials as well as other partners and allies. This attack is likely to unfold over a number of hours. 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."