Iran on Tuesday night launched an attack with hundreds of ballistic missiles against Israel, the largest ever by Tehran against its regional enemy.
The missiles, which Iran said were aimed at military bases, were largely repulsed by Israel’s air defenses with the support of its allies, including the US and UK.
Why did Iran attack?
Although details of the timing and nature of the attack were not known in advance, Iran’s action did not come as a surprise.
Instead, the majority of analysts had been predicting for months a “regional escalation” of Israel’s war in Gaza, in which 40,000 Palestinians have lost their lives. It is recalled that the war began after the attack by Hamas fighters on October 7, 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 Israelis.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have now extended the war to Lebanon, which they are routinely bombing, as it is home to Iran’s key regional ally, Hezbollah, which in turn is firing rockets into northern Israel in response to the bloodshed in Gaza. .
Recent developments
Last week, thousands of walkie-talkies belonging to Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon, killing dozens and injuring thousands of others, including civilians. On Friday, Israel assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. In July, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniya was killed in Tehran in an attack attributed to Israel.
Israeli attacks have destroyed the southern suburbs of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, as well as villages in the south of the country. At least 1 million people in Lebanon – a fifth of the population – are now displaced.
The US has warned against escalation, but at the same time has supported Israel’s attacks both diplomatically – supporting its decision in international institutions like the UN – and actually, sending it the bombs and weapons it has used to kill thousands of people.
What damage did the Iranian missiles cause?
The effects of yesterday’s Iranian attack on Israel are still being assessed. The Israeli military said today that some of its air bases had been hit, while images released by Israel showed craters in central and southern parts of the country.
No injuries were reported in Israel, but one person was killed in the occupied West Bank, authorities there said.
Iran said the attack targeted military facilities, but at least one missile hit an Israeli school.
US President Joe Biden described Iran’s attack as “ineffective”.
What will happen from now on?
Iran has said its attacks have ended, although it has more missiles ready to launch if Israel retaliates.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tehran had made a “big mistake” and vowed to “pay for it”.
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