Israel Responds to Iranian Missile Attack

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the Iranian missile attack, warning Israel will retaliate in response: “Iran made a big mistake tonight – and it will pay for it.” In a video statement posted on X, Netanyahu congratulated the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), citing the air defense system for successfully defending against the ballistic missiles, and also thanked the citizens of Israel for their vigilance, and the defensive coalition led by the United States for supporting the defense of Israel during the attack:

IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari also responded to the Iranian attack, claiming Israel along with a defensive coalition led by the United States intercepted the majority of the incoming Iranian missiles, and confirmed a small number of missiles hit central and southern Israel, stating on X:

Iran launched a large scale attack of over 180 ballistic missiles directly from Iranian soil at the State of Israel. There were a small number in the center of Israel, and some other hits in southern Israel. The majority of the incoming missiles were intercepted by Israel and the defensive coalition led by the United States. Iran’s attack is a severe and dangerous escalation, there will be consequences. Our defensive and offensive capabilities are at the highest levels of readiness. Our operational plans are ready, we will respond wherever, whenever, and however we choose in accordance with the directive of the government of Israel. Iran and its proxies have been attacking Israel since the seventh of October on seven fronts. Iran and its proxies seek the destruction of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces will continue doing everything, everything necessary to defend the State of Israel and protect the people of Israel.

The State of Israel responded to the Iranian missile attack, reporting Iran fired 181 ballistic missiles at civilian targets throughout Israel, resulting in a Palestinian man being killed in the West Bank city of Jericho. Terrorists targeted Israeli civilians just before the Iranian missile attack occurred — two Palestinian terrorists killed six Israelis, and wounded 10 in a shooting and knife attack near the light-rail stop on Jerusalem Boulevard in Jaffa.

IDF Arabic spokesperson Colonel Avichay Adraee responded to a post on X by Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declaring Iranian strikes targeting and killing civilians is terrorism committed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, stating on X:

When you fire ballistic missiles and kill a Palestinian – the answer is: Yes. Iranian attack killed a Palestinian near Jericho this evening. One sentence sums up Iranian terrorism in the region

In response to the Iranian attack, President Joe Biden responded, stating he and Vice President Kamala Harris met with their national security team to help Israel and protect American personnel in the area, stating on X:

This morning, @VP and I convened our national security team to discuss Iranian plans to launch an imminent missile attack against Israel. We discussed how the United States is prepared to help Israel defend against these attacks, and protect American personnel in the region.

After Israel’s successful defense against the Iranian attack, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said he worked with senior defense officials in the IDF’s command and control center during the attack, stating on X:

I spent this evening in the command and control center together with senior defense officials, closely watching the IDF’s successful defense against the Iranian missile attack on Israel. Iran has not learned a simple lesson – those who attack the State of Israel, pay a heavy price.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated he spoke with Gallant earlier today, noting that the United States is determined to prevent Iran from escalating the conflict in the region, and also prepared to defend allies and U.S. personnel, stating on X:

Today, I spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today to discuss the threat of an imminent Iranian attack against Israel. I shared that over recent days the United States has increased force readiness and continues to maintain significant military capability in the region. I made it clear that the United States is well-postured to defend U.S. personnel, allies, and partners in the face of threats from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organizations and is determined to prevent any actor from exploiting tensions or expanding the conflict in the region. We discussed the severe consequences for Iran in the event Iran chooses to launch a direct military attack against Israel.