What we know about Iran’s recent missile attack on Israel

Iran has fired hundreds of missiles into Israel, at least some of which hit Israeli territory. It is Iran’s second attack this year after it fired hundreds of missiles and drones into Israel in April.

Israeli military officials said the attacks appeared to have ended and there was no further threat from Iran “for now,” but it was still unclear how much damage was caused.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of “consequences” after the attack.

Here’s what we know so far.

According to the Israeli military, Iran fired around 180 rockets at Israel. That would be a slightly larger attack than the April barrage in which about 110 ballistic missiles and 30 cruise missiles were fired at Israel.

Israeli television footage appeared to show some rockets flying over the Tel Aviv area shortly before 7:45 p.m. local time (16:45 GMT).

Most of the rockets were shot down by Israeli air defense systems, an Israeli security official said, while a BBC correspondent in Jerusalem said some military bases may have been hit and restaurants and schools were hit.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that 90% of the projectiles hit their targets and said hypersonic missiles had been used for the first time. IRGC sources said three Israeli military bases were attacked.

The Palestinian Civil Defense Authority in the occupied West Bank city of Jericho said a man died during Iranian rocket fire there.

According to the AFP news agency, which spoke to city governor Hussein Hamayel, the victim was killed by falling rocket debris.

Israeli officials have reported no serious injuries as a result of Tuesday’s airstrikes, but Israeli medics said two people were slightly injured by shrapnel.

The IRGC said the attacks were in response to Israel’s killing of one of its top commanders and leader of Iran-backed militias in the region.

It mentioned the assassination of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and IRGC commander Abbas Nilforoshan in the Lebanese capital Beirut on September 27.

Reference was also made to the assassination of Hamas politician Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July. Although Israel has not admitted to being behind Haniyeh’s death, it is widely believed to be responsible.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei personally gave the order for Tuesday’s missile attack.

Iran does not recognize Israel’s right to exist and seeks to exterminate it. It has supported paramilitary organizations that are against Israel for years.

Israel believes Iran poses an existential threat and has been conducting covert operations against Tehran for years.

Israel has a sophisticated air defense system, the most famous of which is the Iron Dome. It is intended to intercept short-range missiles such as those fired by Hamas and Hezbollah.

While it was used to counter some elements of Iran’s latest attack in April, other elements of the country’s “layered” defense system likely did the bulk of the work on Tuesday.

David’s Sling – a system jointly manufactured by the US and Israel – is used to intercept medium- and long-range missiles, as well as ballistic and cruise missiles. And when it comes to long-range ballistic missiles that fly outside Earth’s atmosphere, Israel has the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 interceptors.

US President Joe Biden reiterated US support for Israel after the rocket attack, calling it “defeated and ineffective”.

He had ordered his forces in the region to “support the defense of Israel” and shoot down Iranian missiles.

A Pentagon spokesman said U.S. Navy destroyers fired about a dozen interceptors at Iranian missiles en route to Israel.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also confirmed “multiple” interceptions by the US and condemned “this outrageous act of aggression by Iran”.

The BBC has also reviewed footage showing the interception of missiles over the Jordanian capital, Amman. The country also fired several missiles during Iran’s last attack in April.

The BBC understands On Tuesday, British warplanes were involved in supporting Israellike in April.

Defense Secretary John Healey said on Tuesday evening that British forces had “played their part to prevent further escalation,” without giving further details.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the United Kingdom stands with Israel and recognizes its “right to self-defense.”

France and Japan joined the chorus of condemnation of Iran’s attacks and also called on all parties to avoid further escalation.

Netanyahu said Iran had made a “big mistake” and would “pay for it.”

“We have plans and will operate at the place and time we determine,” Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Haggari said.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said Tehran’s response would be “even more devastating and ruinous” if Israel retaliated.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military carried out new airstrikes in Beirut overnight against Hezbollah targets after warning residents to leave the city’s southern suburbs where the group has a presence.