New Delhi: What the whole world was waiting with bated breath finally happened on Saturday, 26 October 2024. Israel launched a big attack on Iran in retaliation to Iran’s massive missile salvo on October 1.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Saturday that it has conducted “precise strikes” against Iranian military targets. The IDF stated that the strikes were in a response to “relentless attacks” from Iran and its proxies since October 7.
For the attack, Israeli air force jets covered about 2,000 kilometres and used its finest fighter jets and missiles, adding another chapter to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The air strikes were conducted in three waves using fifth generation F-35 Adir fighter jets, F-15I Ra’am ground attack jets, and F-16I Soufa/Sufa air defence jets.
These jets carried the Rampage long-range, supersonic missile and the ROCKS next generation extended stand-off air-to-surface missile. The targets chosen were the military targets, avoiding nuclear and oil facilities to prevent repercussions from Iran.
A total of 100 fighter jets carried out the attacks in three waves on 20 missile and drone facilities of Iran. The first wave of attacks was on Iran’s radar and air defence facilities, clearing the path for following strikes on military bases. Iran’s missile and drone facilities were targeted in the second and third wave, according to India Today.
The fighter jets carried out the strikes in groups of 25-30. While 10 jets conducted the coordinated missile strikes, the others provided cover and diversion. During the strikes, called “Operation Days of Repentance”, Israeli and US air defences were on high alert to handle retaliatory missile strikes.
Meanwhile, Iran has said that its air defence system successfully thwarted Israel’s attacks which took place in the provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam with “limited damage” to some locations. Iran and Iraq closed their airspaces following the attacks.
Israel had to postpone the “revenge strikes” due to weather conditions as the missiles used by IDF use camera seekers to hit the targets and it was waiting for clear weather to carry out the attacks.
Israeli airstrikes led to the reported deaths of two Iranian soldiers. In an official statement, the Iranian military confirmed the fatalities, saying, “Last night, two of our fighters made the ultimate sacrifice while confronting missiles launched by the criminal Zionist regime.” The identities of the soldiers were not disclosed.