Israel says it has foiled Iran’s attack on its country and reveals 120 ballistic missiles as well as 200 drones were used – with schoolgirl, seven, injured but only minor damage sustained by one IDF base in the south discovered so far

Israel has said it ‘foiled’ Iran’s unprecedented attack on its country yesterday and revealed 120 ballistic missiles along with 200 drones were used – with a seven-year-old girl left injured in ‘serious condition’ at hospital.

Last night, innocent civilians were forced to flee to bomb shelters across the nation.

Iran sent the salvo of missiles in response to a drone strike at the beginning of April in Syria that killed 12 Iranians, including two top generals.    

The Israeli military today said that Iran’s unprecedented overnight attack on Israel has been ‘foiled’ with hundreds of missiles and drones intercepted with the help of the United States and allies.

The attack which began late yesterday marks a major escalation of the long-running covert war between the regional foes, and comes against the backdrop of the ongoing war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

A seven-year-old girl from a Bedouin town near Arad was injured by falling shrapnel and is in serious condition at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, The Times of Israel reported.

Iran today warned Israel of a larger attack if it retaliates against the overnight drone and missile assault – adding that it has warned the US not to back Israeli military action. 

Iran’s proxies and allies also carried out coordinated attacks on Israeli positions as sirens sounded in many places and with blasts heard in the skies above Jerusalem early Sunday.

Iran had repeatedly threatened to retaliate against Israel for a deadly April 1 air strike on its Damascus consular building, and Washington had warned in recent days that the reprisals were imminent.

Late yesterday, the Israeli army said Iran had launched a ‘massive swarm of over 200 killer drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles’.

The army said it had scrambled dozens of fighter jets to intercept ‘all aerial threats’, and was working with the US and other allies to stop the launches.

People in Jerusalem sought cover, while some residents stockpiled water.

‘As you can see it’s empty, everybody is running home,’ said Eliyahu Barakat, a 49-year-old grocery shop owner in Jerusalem’s Mamilla neighbourhood.

Early Sunday, the Israeli army said that 99 percent of the launches had been intercepted.

‘The Iranian attack was foiled,’ military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised statement.

US President Joe Biden reiterated Washington’s ‘ironclad’ support for Israel after an urgent meeting with his top security officials on the spiralling crisis. 

Leaders from the G7 will hold a video conference later tday to discuss the Iranian strikes on Israel, according to Italy – which holds the rotating presidency of the group of developed nations.

‘The Italian presidency of the G7 has summoned G7 leaders for a video conference early this afternoon’, the government said. The G7 groups the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy and Canada.

Israel’s airspace reopened today at 7:30 am (0430 GMT) after it was closed following Iran’s attack on Israel, the Israeli airports authority said in a statement.

‘As of 07:30 in the morning, Israel’s airspace is reopening and Ben Gurion Airport is returning to operations’, the statement said, adding that domestic airports would reopen throughout the day.

The airspace had been closed since 12:30 am (2130 GMT on Saturday).

The Israeli military said yesterday that Iran’s attack using hundreds of drones and missiles had been ‘foiled’, with 99 percent of them intercepted overnight.

None of the drones and cruise missiles that were launched towards Israel had entered its territory, Hagari said, and ‘only a few’ ballistic missiles reached Israel.

One of them ‘lightly hit the Nevatim base’, he added, noting that the military compound was ‘still functioning’.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement: ‘Together with the United States and additional partners, we managed to defend the territory of the State of Israel.’

‘The campaign is not over yet – we must remain alert’, Gallant added.

The Iranian army has said its attack ‘achieved all its objectives’. 

Mohammad Bagheri, the Iranian armed forces’ chief of staff, told state TV: ‘Operation Honest Promise was completed successfully from last night to this morning and achieved all its objectives.’

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said via state media yesterday: ‘The aerospace unit of the Revolutionary Guards has attacked targets in Israel with dozens of drones and missiles in reaction to the Zionist regime’s crimes, including the attack on the consulate section of Iran’s embassy in Damascus and martyring our commanders and military advisers in Syria.’

Missiles which began to enter Israeli airspace were seen in video shared with MailOnline, showing them being intercepted by the Iron Dome system above Jerusalem, forcing citizens to run to shelters across the city. 

Iran claimed to have dealt ‘heavy blows’ to an airbase in Negev, though the IDF said only minor damage was caused. The IDF added that the vast majority of the missiles and drones were shot down, with one small girl being injured by falling shrapnel. 

Iranian media reported that while Tehran’s barrage of ballistic missiles has concluded, the drones and cruise missiles are yet to enter Israeli airspace. Iran has vowed to take further ‘defensive measures’ if Israel chooses to respond to the salvo. 

Yemen-based Houthis have also claimed to have shot ‘dozens’ of rockets towards an IDF base in the north-east of Israel. it is not currently known if the Houthi attacks are linked to Iran’s salvo. 

The UK, among Israel’s closest allies, and other nations have reportedly begun to support Israel by sending fighter jets to shoot down the drones and missiles. US officials added that their military also intercepted drones and missiles heading to Israel. 

The Times of Israel reported that Israel’s chief military spokesperson said France was among the countries involved in defending against Iran’s overnight attack on Israel.

The news outlet added that The IDF’s spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said France was ‘contributing in patrolling airspace’ but he didn’t know if their jets had shot down any of the missiles.

Israeli officials said that the United States, Britain, and Jordan also all helped intercept the massive barrage of drones Iran fired at Israel overnight, according to The Times of Israel.

Iran today warned Israel of a larger attack if it retaliates against the overnight drone and missile assault – adding that it has warned the US not to back Israeli military action.

The armed forces chief of staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri told state TV their response will be ‘much larger than tonight’s military action if Israel retaliates’, The Times of Israel reports.

President Isaac Herzog wrote on X to express his gratitude to the military and to Israel’s allies. 

He posted: ‘Bless you dear soldiers and commanders of the IDF and IAF. Bless the coalition of nations led by the US and @POTUS.

‘Bless my sisters and brothers, the people of Israel, for their exceptional show of resilience. Together, the forces of good will overcome the forces of evil.’

• Britain has sent jets to support Israel as it is attacked by Iran 
• The US is sending a naval task force with over 2,500 marines
• But many of Iran’s Middle East allies, including Qatar and Kuwait,  are rallying around it 

The IDF’s spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said that the Iranian attack was ‘a severe and dangerous escalation’ in tensions, adding: ‘Our defensive and offensive capabilities are at the highest level of readiness ahead of this large-scale attack from Iran.’

The IDF said: ‘The air defense array is on high alert at the same time as the Air Force planes and Navy ships that are on a mission to protect the country’s skies. The IDF is monitoring all targets.

‘We ask the public to adhere to and follow the instructions of the Home Front Command and the official IDF announcements regarding the matter.’

Israel’s allies sent in military assets in to help Israel. 

US Congressional sources said the amphibious war ship Bataan is leading a US naval task force in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Bataan has two support ships and together they have about 2,500 Marines onboard. The US also has several guided missile destroyers including the Carney in the area.

US bases in Iraq were placed on full alert and attempted to shoot down missiles and drones aimed at Israel. In addition, the US has two destroyers and a Cruiser in the Red Sea that are fully armed with anti-missile weapons and they too were under orders to shoot down any Israeli bound missiles or drones.

But Iran has threatened the US if it gets involved in the spat, claiming that it is a conflict between Iran and Israel alone. 

Iran’s mission to the UN wrote on X: ‘Conducted on the strength of Article 51 of the UN Charter pertaining to legitimate defense, Iran’s military action was in response to the Zionist regime’s aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus. 

‘The matter can be deemed concluded. However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe. It is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, from which the U.S. MUST STAY AWAY!’

Iran’s foreign ministry, meanwhile, said in statement to local media: ‘Iran, if necessary, will not hesitate to take further defensive measures to safeguard its legitimate interests against any military aggressions and unlawful use of force while reaffirming its commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.’

Israel is expected to launch a counterattack against Iran. Former IDF captain Caroline Glick told MailOnline: ‘[Iran’s] overthrow is the key to the restoration of regional stability. Just last week, when a regime authority called for a moment of silence in memory of the Iranian terror masters Israel killed in Damascus two weeks ago, the crowd instead began calling for the overthrow of the regime.’ 

Inside Iran, many were seen joyously celebrating as news of the attack broke. 

Iranians were seen taking to the streets of Tehran with flares and Iranian flags, whooping and cheering as the missiles and drones entered Israeli airspace.  

Surrounding countries appear to have begun preparations for an escalation in hostilities. 

Jordan, Israel’s eastern neighbour, temporarily closed its airspace to all incoming, departing and internal flights. Its government refuted reported that it had ordered its armed forces to shoot down any drones that flew through its airspace. 

Syria is also on high alert, setting up its ground-to-air defence systems around the capital Damascus and major bases in the event of an Israeli strike, army sources said. 

Sources told Reuters they expected Israel would retaliate against army bases and installations where pro-Iranian militia were based after Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards said they launched dozens of drones and missiles against specific targets in Israel.

Lebanon, which lies to Israel’s north, is also closing its airspace at 1am local time. 

Qatar and Kuwait have both issued directives against the US prohibiting the use of their airspace for any potential military action against Iran. 

US military aircraft are stationed at the Ali Al Salem Air Base and the Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base in Kuwait, as well as the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest US airbase in the Middle East. 

But Egypt’s foreign ministry urged both sides to exercise restraint, saying in a statement: ‘Egypt expresses its deep concern about the indicators of Iranian/Israeli escalation and demands the exercise of the utmost restraint

‘The Arab Republic of Egypt expresses its deep concern regarding the announced launch of Iranian offensive marches against Israel, and the indicators of dangerous escalation between the two countries during the recent period, calling for the exercise of the utmost restraint to spare the region.

‘And its people are more factors for instability and tension.

‘Egypt considers that the dangerous escalation that the Iranian/Israeli arena is currently witnessing is nothing but a direct result of what Egypt has repeatedly warned about, about the dangers of expanding the conflict in the region as a result of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, and the provocative military actions being practiced in the region.

‘Egypt stresses that it is in constant contact with all concerned parties to try to contain the situation, stop the escalation, and spare the region the risk of sliding into a dangerous turn of instability and threat to the interests of its people.’

The rest of the world has begun to react to Iran’s strikes. 

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement: ‘I condemn in the strongest terms the Iranian regime’s reckless attack against Israel. These strikes risk inflaming tensions and destabilising the region. Iran has once again demonstrated that it is intent on sowing chaos in its own backyard.

‘The UK will continue to stand up for Israel’s security and that of all our regional partners, including Jordan and Iraq.

‘Alongside our allies, we are urgently working to stabilise the situation and prevent further escalation. No one wants to see more bloodshed.’

The UK’s Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron took to X to say: ‘Iran’s reckless attacks on Israel will only further inflame tensions in the Middle East. The UK calls on the Iranian regime to stop this serious escalation, which is in no one’s interest.’

Grant Shapps, the UK’s defence minister added: ‘I strongly condemn the senseless airborne attack that Iran has launched on Israel. It serves no benefit other than to further undermine regional security. 

‘We continue to work with Israel and partners in the region to prevent further escalation. Peace and stability are in everyone’s interest, and I urge Iran to immediately end all forms of destabilising behaviour. 

‘In response to escalation in the region and in partnership with our allies, the Prime Minister and I have authorised the deployment of additional Royal Air Force assets. The RAF jets and air refuelling tankers will bolster our existing Operation Shader – the UK’s existing counter-Daesh operation in Iraq and Syria. In addition, these jets will intercept any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions, as required.’

A spokesperson for the US’ National Security Council, meanwhile, said: ‘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 defence against these threats from Iran.’

US president Joe Biden said: ‘I just met with my national security team for an update on Iran’s attacks against Israel. Our commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad.’

Former president Donald Trump took to his own social media platform, Truth Social, to say: ‘ISRAEL IS UNDER ATTACK! This should never have been allowed to happen – This would NEVER have happened if I were President!

‘AMERICA SUPPORTS ISRAEL!’

France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Stéphane Séjourné said via X: ‘France condemns in the strongest terms the attack launched by Iran against Israel. By deciding on such an unprecedented action, Iran is taking a new step in its destabilizing actions and taking the risk of a military escalation.

‘France reaffirms its attachment to Israel’s security and assures it of its solidarity.’

Germany’s foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, said on X: ‘Iran has fired drones and missiles at Israel. We strongly condemn the ongoing attack, which could plunge an entire region into chaos. Iran and its proxies must stop this immediately. Israel offers our full solidarity at this time.’

The UN has also weighed in, with secretary general Antonio Guterres condemning Iran’s attack on Israel and calling for restraint and an immediate cessation of hostilities.

‘I am deeply alarmed about the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation. I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East,’

It was reported yesterday that Iran has more than 100 cruise missiles ready to be launched as part of an ‘imminent’ strike against Israel in retaliation for an airstrike against Iran’s embassy in Damascus, Syria.

Announcing increased security measures in Israel during a televised briefing, chief military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said dozens of combat planes were airborne as part of the state of readiness. 

The strict measures, which include the ban of all ‘educational activities’ across the country, the restriction of working in offices without ‘standard protected spaces’ and limits on the number of people at gatherings’, were implemented from 11pm.

Educational activities have been banned across the country, while restrictions on working have been put in place on areas directly next to the Gaza Strip, and other areas in the Gaza Envelope. 

Israelis living on the areas next to the Gaza Strip have been banned from meeting outside in groups of more than 30, and are allowed to meet up to 300 people inside buildings. Beaches in the Gaza Envelope have also been closed to the public. 

Hagari said in the televised address that the directive will be reassessed at 6am local time, and urged Israelis to remain vigilant and to head to bomb shelters if they hear warnings.

‘We are taking all steps possible to ensure your safety. 

‘Since the start of the war, we have faced a variety of threats sent here by Iran’s proxies and adapted our defence and attack systems accordingly,’ Hagari said, adding that the IDF was ‘fully prepared’ for Iranian attacks. 

‘The air force’s defence and attack formations are on alert and dozens of planes are in the sky. We are conducting a situational assessment with our strategic partners, led by the USA, and we are maintaining close coordination with them,’ he added.

Hagari’s televised message came as Israel’s defence minister Yoav Gallant held a meeting with top-level defence officials, including the IDF’s chief Herzi Halevi. 

Gallant said the IDF was ‘closely monitoring a planned attack by Iran and its proxies against the State of Israel.’

‘We have added new capabilities – on land, in the air, at sea, in our intelligence directorate, within the State of Israel, and together with our partners, led by the United States.

‘Iran is a terrorist state – the world is seeing this now more than ever.’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a prepared televised statement: ‘Our defence systems are deployed, and we are prepared for any scenario, both in defence and offence. The State of Israel is strong, the IDF is strong, the public is strong.’

‘We appreciate the US for standing by Israel’s side as well as the support of the UK, France and many other countries.’

‘I established a clear principle — whoever hurts us, we will hurt them. We will defend ourselves from any threat and we will do so calmly and with determination.’

‘I know that you, the citizens of Israel, are also keeping calm. I urge you to listen to the directives of the Home Front Command.’

‘Together we stand, and with God’s help, together we will overcome all of our enemies.’

The increased security measures were announced hours after Iranian commandos took control of an Israel-linked container ship as it travelled in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping chokepoints. 

Tensions between Iran and Israel have been massively escalating after the IDF killed 12 people, including two top military figures, in an airstrike against Iran’s embassy in Syria’s capital, Damascus, on April 1.