The wave of drones and missiles that flew towards Israel overnight on Sunday brought with it a new phase of tension, uncertainty and confrontation in the Middle East.
Iran launched the unprecedented attack in response to a suspected Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, earlier this month.
It marked a new chapter in a discord between the two states that percolated for years and has spiralled since Israel declared war on Hamas last October.
The next steps remain unclear, but Israel is facing pleas from its allies to step back from the brink of open warfare and chose a path of de-escalation.
Here’s what you need to know.
How did Iran attack Israel?
More than 300 projectiles – including around 170 drones and over 120 ballistic missiles – were fired toward Israel in the immense aerial attack overnight.
However, “99%” of them were intercepted by Israel’s aerial defense systems and its allies, according to the Israeli military, with only a small number reaching Israeli territory.
Tehran’s attack targeted the Nevatim airbase, an Iranian army official has said on Sunday, alleging that this is where Israel’s early April strike on the Iranian consulate was launched from.
Iranian ballistic missiles that reached Israel fell on the airbase located in the south of the country and caused only light structural damage, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Daniel Hagari said. The base is functioning and continuing its operations following the attack, with planes continuing to use the base, Hagari added.
Why did the attack take place?
Israel and Iran are long-standing rivals and have been engaged in a shadow war for years.
Israel’s war on Hamas, waged since the militant group attacked Israel on October 7, has heightened those tensions.
Iranian-backed forces in Iraq and Syria have launched attacks aimed at US military positions in those countries and Iran’s leadership has warned that attacks by its allies won’t stop until Israel’s war in Gaza ends.
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