US helps Israel successfully intercept 99% of Iranian missiles and UAVs

Israel Defense Forces spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said only a “small number” of ballistic missiles reached Israeli territory. He added that most of the missiles and all of the drones were intercepted before reaching Israeli territory.

America helps Israel successfully destroy 99 Iranian missiles and drones, picture 1 — An anti-missile system in action seen from Ashkelon, Israel on Sunday. Photo: Amir Cohen/Reuters

He said that about 170 drones, more than 30 cruise missiles and more than 120 ballistic missiles were launched by Iran at Israel, most of which were intercepted by the Israeli Air Force and Israel's "partners".

Several ballistic missiles hit the Nevatim air base in southern Israel, Hagari said, but caused only minor damage to facilities. He added that the base remained operational after the attack, with aircraft continuing to use the base.

Video shows Iranian missile intercepted over Israel (source: AP)

Earlier, explosions and air raid sirens rang out across Israel early Sunday after Iran launched hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles in an unprecedented retaliatory mission, pushing the Middle East closer to all-out war.

In Washington, President Joe Biden said US forces had helped Israel shoot down “nearly all” of the drones and missiles, and pledged to convene allies for a unified response.

The Iranian attack, less than two weeks after a suspected Israeli raid on the Iranian embassy compound in Syria that killed two Iranian generals, marked the first time Iran has launched a direct military attack on Israel, despite decades of hostility between the two countries since 1979.

The Israeli military said its Arrow air defense missile system, which shoots down ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere, handled most of the intercepts, noting that “strategic partners” were involved.

“At my direction, in support of Israel’s defense, the United States military deployed ballistic missile defense aircraft and destroyers to the region over the past week,” Biden said in a statement.

“Thanks to these deployments and the extraordinary skills of our soldiers, we helped Israel take down almost all of the incoming drones and missiles.”

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a separate statement that US forces “intercepted dozens of missiles and drones headed for Israel, launched from Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.”

Huy Hoang (according to AP, CNN, Reuters)

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