Senior Israeli officials vowed Tuesday evening that Jerusalem will not remain silent following Iran’s large-scale missile attack. A defense official promised a “severe response,” while another Israeli official warned, “What Iran has suffered so far is only a fraction of what it will face now.”
A high-ranking government official added, “Israel has full legitimacy for an unprecedented strike on Iranian soil—this is the time to strike at the head of the Iranian snake.”
Shortly after the missile barrage began, and minutes after the Home Front Command lifted the order to remain in shelters, IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari addressed the nation, saying, “There will be consequences for the missile fire from Iran.”
As part of the Iranian assault, approximately 180 ballistic missiles were fired on Israel, which had repeatedly warned in recent days that any attack from Tehran would trigger a harsh response, and earlier Tuesday, the United States also warned Iran of “severe consequences” should it launch an attack. Against this backdrop, Israeli threats of retaliation were issued throughout the evening.
Despite the heavy Iranian missile barrage, Israel’s air defense systems, potentially with assistance from foreign forces, appeared to have successfully intercepted most of the rockets. The Magen David Adom (MDA) ambulance service reported that two people were lightly injured from shrapnel near Tel Aviv, and several others were injured while rushing to shelters across the country.