In a shocking escalation of violence, Iran fired more than 200 missiles at Israel, marking the largest missile attack ever recorded between the two nations. Israeli air defenses, with assistance from the U.S., successfully intercepted many of the incoming missiles, though some struck their targets, causing damage but no reported major casualties.
The missile barrage comes after weeks of conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, which has been firing rockets into Israel from Lebanon. Israel recently launched a ground operation into southern Lebanon, aiming to push Hezbollah forces away from its border. The operation has led to significant destruction in Lebanon, with over 1,000 deaths and the displacement of more than a million people.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed swift retaliation against Iran, calling the attack a “big mistake.” He warned that Israel would not hesitate to defend itself against future attacks from Hezbollah, Hamas, or Iran. “We will stand by the rule we established: Whoever attacks us, we will attack them,” Netanyahu said.
President Joe Biden reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel, stating that the U.S. had played a critical role in helping intercept Iran’s missiles. “We are fully supportive of Israel, and we will continue to assist in its defense,” Biden said.
As Israel plans its next move, tensions across the region are rising, with the U.N. Security Council set to hold an emergency meeting to address the growing crisis. With both sides preparing for further violence, the risk of a broader conflict looms large in the Middle East.
