Israeli air and naval forces intercepted at least 20 drones launched from Iran within a single hour on Sunday, according to a statement released by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). The interception comes amid escalating hostilities between the two long-time adversaries, now entering their third consecutive day of intense military exchanges.
The Israeli Air Force also shared footage on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, showing fighter jets successfully targeting and shooting down multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) en route to Israeli airspace. “In the past hour alone, the Air Force intercepted approximately 20 UAVs launched toward Israeli territory,” the IDF said in its update. Earlier in the day, the IDF confirmed that at least seven additional drones had been downed over the Mediterranean Sea and in the Negev region.
Netanyahu's warning to Iran
Amid the ongoing drone and missile assaults, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Iran. Speaking from the coastal city of Bat Yam near Tel Aviv, where a missile strike had recently devastated a residential building, Netanyahu declared that Iran would "pay a very heavy price" for targeting and killing Israeli civilians.
“Iran will pay a very heavy price for the premeditated murder of civilians, women and children,” he said while visiting the scene of destruction.
According to emergency responders, Iran’s missile attacks on Saturday night and early Sunday killed 10 people and injured over 200 across Israel. These strikes have brought the death toll from Iranian attacks to 13 so far. Missiles that breached Israel’s Iron Dome defence system caused significant damage in Bat Yam, Tel Aviv, and parts of northern Israel.
In response, Israel has launched a comprehensive military operation named “Rising Lion”, which began early Friday. The offensive aims to neutralise Iran’s nuclear capabilities and prevent the country from obtaining atomic weapons. Israel claims to have struck more than 250 strategic targets in Iran, including military installations and nuclear sites.
“Israel absolutely had to carry out this operation,” Netanyahu said. “We will reach all our objectives and we will eliminate the double existential threat,” he added, referring to both Iran’s nuclear program and its arsenal of ballistic missiles. By Sunday evening, both nations had intensified their retaliatory campaigns. In a fresh round of strikes, Iranian state media reported that an Israeli drone had hit the Greater Tehran Police Command in the capital's city centre.
“The Greater Tehran Police Command was hit by one of the enemy's drones,” Iran’s ISNA news agency reported, citing a police statement. The strike reportedly caused minor structural damage and injured several police personnel. As hostilities continue into their third day, the growing conflict between Iran and Israel has raised international concerns over the possibility of a wider regional war. Despite global appeals for restraint, both nations appear committed to escalating their military campaigns in response to ongoing provocations.
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