Israel’s military (IDF) is “preparing a response” to “the unprecedented and unlawful Iranian attack” that targeted its territory and civilians, on Tuesday night, an Israeli official told AFP on Saturday.
The official did not provide further details on the planned response, including the timing and nature of the action.
The statement refers to Iran’s firing of nearly 180 ballistic missiles targeting multiple military airbases in Israel in retaliation for the recent assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.
The Washington Post reported that footage of the Iranian barrage showed 20 missiles striking the Nevatim air base in the southern Negev desert and three striking the Tel Nof base in central Israel.
Other videos also showed that at least two missiles landed near Tel Aviv in Cinema City Glilot, Hod Hasharon, close to Israel’s Mossad Agency headquarters, resulting in no less than two craters, the same source added.
Despite the damages assessments, the United States and Israel have reported minimal impact on the ground and the IDF also confirmed on Wednesday, that its bases are fully operational.
Israel claimed responsibility for the killing of Hamas’s political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in July, while he was in Tehran, Iran’s capital. Subsequently, an Israeli airstrike, on September 27, killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah near Lebanon’s Beirut.