Jerusalem was filled with the sound of booms and air raid sirens early Sunday (April 14) following Iran’s launch of numerous drones and ballistic missiles towards Israel in an unprecedented retaliatory operation. This event brought the Middle East closer to the brink of a widespread conflict.
This marked the first direct military assault by Iran on Israel despite decades of hostility dating back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The international response was quick, with France stating that Iran had escalated its destabilizing activities to a new level, risking further military escalation. Britain labeled the attacks as “reckless.”
Authorities have not yet confirmed any incoming explosions from the attack. Air raid sirens were heard in various areas including northern Israel, southern Israel, the northern West Bank, and the Dead Sea near the Jordanian border. Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service reported treating a critically injured 10-year-old boy in the Bedouin area of the Arad region, though no further details were provided.
According to a U.S. defense official and two anonymous U.S. officials, American forces intercepted some of the drones launched by Iran towards Israel. The defense official mentioned that efforts to intercept the attack were still ongoing.