The world is holding its breath. Iran has launched an air attack on Israel, raising fears of a major conflict.
Arab media report that hundreds of kamikaze drones have been launched from Iran towards Israel.
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| Kamikaze drones headed towards Israel, local media source |
According to some unconfirmed reports, Iran has launched between 50 to 100 suicide drones. The same reports estimate that they will reach Israel in the early hours, around 7:30 am local time.
Additionally, the Israeli TV channel "Channel" 12 reported that dozens of drones were lifted from Iranian territory. An expert interviewed by "Channel 12," former general Amos Yadlin, claims that the drones are equipped with 20 kilograms of explosives, but Israeli forces are ready to intercept them. This was also confirmed by the Israeli military.
In a televised statement, IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said that Israel is "well prepared" for the attack. "We have prepared for various scenarios in advance. To intercept the drones, we have defense systems both from the navy and the air force in multiple layers," he added.
He explains that the unmanned aerial vehicles will take "several hours" to reach Israel, and sirens will sound if any area is under threat.
"We will try to prevent them from reaching Israeli territory; that is our duty," he said. "If they enter Israeli airspace, then you will hear sirens and alarms wherever these threats come in, and we will intercept them," he added.
On the other hand, the Israeli military has been put on high alert. Israel is "closely monitoring a planned attack" by Iran and its allies in the region, said the country's defense minister.
Yoav Gallant said that Israelis should heed any orders that may be issued by the Home Front Command of the military. The Home Front Command has also changed its defense guidelines, halting educational activities nationwide and limiting gatherings in open spaces to 1,000 people.
Announcing the measures in a televised briefing, IDF Chief Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said that dozens of fighter jets were in the air as part of the state of readiness.
"The military forces are very strongly prepared both offensively and defensively and in a wide deployment," he said.
School trips and other youth activities planned for the coming days, the beginning of the Easter holiday, have also been canceled by the Home Front Command.