Iranian attack on Israel: Explosions and missiles in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv
Explosions rock major cities after hundreds of projectiles are launched
The skies over Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and other areas in Israel were rocked by loud explosions and a barrage of sirens on Saturday night, following a direct and unprecedented Iranian attack. International news agencies and field reporters reported hearing the sounds of interceptions and explosions in various locations, including the West Bank and Ramallah, triggering panic among residents who rushed to shelters. The Israeli military confirmed it had detected the launch of “a new barrage of missiles from Iran,” indicating that the attack involved hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles.
Background to the attack: From shadow warfare to direct confrontation
This attack, dubbed “Operation True Promise” by Iran, comes as a direct response to the airstrike that targeted the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1, 2014. That strike, attributed to Israel, killed several senior commanders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, including General Mohammad Reza Zahedi. For years, Iran and Israel have been engaged in a “shadow war” involving cyberattacks, intelligence operations, and the targeting of each other’s interests through proxies in the region. However, this attack represents a significant strategic shift, marking the first direct military confrontation launched by Iran from its own territory against Israel, thus taking the conflict to a new and more dangerous phase.
Importance and expected impacts: Regional and international repercussions
This escalation has far-reaching implications at the local, regional, and international levels. Locally, the attack has put Israel's air defense systems, such as the Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow, to their greatest test in history. Regionally, the attack has raised serious concerns about the outbreak of a full-scale war that could draw in other parties in the region, especially given that the missiles and drones crossed the airspace of countries like Iraq and Jordan. Internationally, the attack was met with widespread condemnation from the United States, Britain, France, and other countries that actively participated in intercepting the Iranian projectiles. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that its forces successfully destroyed dozens of drones and missiles, confirming that damage to US sites was limited. The UN Security Council is expected to convene an emergency session to discuss the developments, while the world awaits the nature of the potential Israeli response, which will determine the course of the crisis in the coming days, either towards de-escalation or further disastrous escalation.
