Iran has launched a massive aerial assault on Israel in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus.
The attack, codenamed “Operation True Promise,” is the first-ever direct assault by Iran on Israeli territory from Iranian soil.
The aerial onslaught began on Saturday night and continued into the early hours of Sunday, with explosions reported in cities across Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
News About Nigeria gathered that air raid sirens sounded in over 720 locations as Israeli forces scrambled to intercept the barrage of missiles and drones.
According to Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari, Iran’s attack involved more than 120 ballistic missiles, 170 drones, and over 30 cruise missiles.
Despite the overwhelming volume of projectiles, the majority were intercepted outside Israel’s borders with assistance from the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.
Jordan also intercepted some missiles flying through its airspace.
While most of the projectiles were thwarted, a small number managed to hit Israeli territory, causing minor damage to infrastructure and injuring several individuals.
A seven-year-old girl was severely injured by missile fragments, while others sustained minor injuries and were treated for anxiety.
In response to the attack, Israel’s military ordered residents in northern areas near the Syrian and Lebanese borders, as well as in southern cities like Nevatim, Dimona, and Eilat, to remain near bomb shelters.
The Iranian assault comes in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike that killed Iranian military commander Major-General Mohammad Reza Zahed in Damascus earlier in April, along with six other Iranian nationals and at least six Syrian citizens.
Following the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel “will win” and assured the nation that defensive systems were deployed and prepared for any scenario.
He thanked allies, including the US and UK, for their support.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant stated that the attack had been “blocked” with assistance from international partners, adding that the world had witnessed Iran’s status as a “country of terror”.
In response to potential Israeli retaliation, Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, Major-General Mohammad Bagheri, warned of a “much larger” response if provoked further.
Iran also cautioned Washington against backing Israeli retaliation, threatening to target US bases.
The aerial assault has drawn condemnation from Israel’s allies and raised concerns about further escalation in the Middle East.
The UN Security Council is expected to convene an emergency meeting, while leaders around the world have called for restraint and de-escalation to avoid a broader conflict.
