Israeli authorities have confirmed that at least 12 persons were injured when Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles toward the Jewish nation in an unprecedented attack overnight Saturday.
The Israeli military said that around 170 drones, more than 30 cruise missiles and more than 120 ballistic missiles were launched in total at Israel by Iran.
Military spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari confirmed in a televised address that “99%” of projectiles fired by Iran were intercepted by Israel and its partners.
He explained that none of the 170 drones and 30 cruise missiles launched reached Israeli territory but a few of the 120 ballistic missiles fired reached Israel.
Hagari noted that “less than a handful” of ballistic missiles caused “minor damage” after falling in and around the Nevatim air base in the Negev Desert.
However, he said the base remained operational as of Sunday.
The military spokesman said that the “large-scale coordinated attack” was launched mainly from Iranian territory but some rockets came from the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah in nearby Lebanon and some UAVs and cruise missiles were launched from Yemen and Iraq.
Noting that “the situation is still ongoing,” Hagari said the battle was “unique” in terms of “number of planes in the air” and number of “simultaneous interceptions” required.
According to him, Israeli forces “showed technological superiority to the Iranian threat”.
The IDF spokesman praised the partners who joined Israel’s defence — particularly the United States, which led a “defence coalition with multiple partners,” and France, which had fighter jets in Jordan and elsewhere and “contributed good technology,” including radar.