Israel launches ‘precise’ retaliatory air strikes on Iran

Israel launched “precise” retaliatory air strikes on Iran early Saturday.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the strikes were a reprisal for the barrage of missiles Iran launched on Israeli territory in the first week of October.

“I can now confirm that we have concluded the Israeli response to Iran’s attacks against Israel,” Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the IDF, announced.

“We conducted targeted and precise strikes on military targets in Iran — thwarting immediate threats to the State of Israel.”

Israel added that “its retaliation is now complete” and that “it has fulfilled its mission”. 

“If the regime in Iran were to make the mistake of beginning a new round of escalation, we would be obligated to respond,” IDF added.

“Our message is clear. All those who threaten the state of Israel and seek to drag the region into wider escalation, will pay a heavy price.

“We demonstrated today that we have both the capability and the resolve to act decisively. And we are prepared on offense and defense.”

Iran said Israel’s missiles were “countered” and caused “limited damage”.

The White House has called for calm and de-escalation in the wake of Israel’s retaliation.

MIDDLE EAST TENSION

On October 1, Iran fired missiles at Israel. Footage showed dozens of missiles flying across the sky towards Tel Aviv.

Israel said all of the strikes were neutralised.

Iran said it targeted Israel in response to the killing of Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah leader, and other leaders of the militant group.

“In response to the martyrdom of Martyr Haniyeh, Seyed Hassan Nasrallah and Martyr Nilfroshan, we targeted the heart of the occupied territories,” a statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had said.

“If the Zionist regime reacts to Iran’s operations, it will face crushing attacks.”

There has been an escalation of tension in the Middle East since Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, made an unprecedented and coordinated ground, air and sea incursion into Israeli territory on October 7, 2023. 

About 1,500 Hamas militants had infiltrated Israel and taken more than 200 Israelis hostage.

Israel has taken out high-ranking Hamas and Hezbollah leaders since the invasion and has exchanged air strikes with Lebanon. It has also killed hundreds of civilians in the Gaza Strip.