13 Apr 2024 | 10:06 PM UTC
Israel, Iran: Israel closes its airspace from 00:30 April 14 as Iran reportedly launches more than 100 drones toward country overnight April 13-14 /update 1
In major escalation, Iran launches more than 100 drones toward Israel overnight April 13-14; Israel closes its airspace from 00:30 April 14.
Israeli authorities have announced the closure of the country's airspace from 00:30 April 14 after Iran reportedly launched a major drone attack targeting Israel overnight April 13-14. The Israel Airports Authority did not immediately specify when flight operations would resume. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has asserted that Iran launched more than 100 drones toward Israel; emerging reports, including from Iranian media, also indicate that Iran has fired missiles toward the country. The Iranian drones will likely take hours to reach the vicinity of their intended targets, and the IDF is working to intercept them while in flight toward Israel. Israeli military officials have said that the IDF's efforts to intercept the drones will cause GPS disruptions. The attack's likely areas of intended impact include the Golan Heights and an Israeli Air Force base in the Negev, per Israeli military intelligence reports; the attack may target additional areas in Israel, as well. Furthermore, Jordanian air defenses are reportedly prepared to intercept any Iranian drones or aircraft that violate Jordan's airspace.
Authorities have also activated rocket sirens in the northern Israeli community of Snir, located near the Israeli-Lebanese border, amid a rocket attack from Lebanese territory early April 14. Hizballah and other Iran-backed proxy groups may launch additional projectile attacks targeting Israel over the short term.
Israeli authorities have temporarily closed educational institutions and imposed gathering restrictions, limiting gatherings in some places to 1,000 people, amid the heightened tensions. Officials may tighten these restrictions or issue new controls over the coming hours in response to the Iranian attack.
Heightened security and significant disruptions to business and transport, including major flight disruptions, are likely across Israel over the coming hours. Retaliatory Israeli attacks on Iranian military assets and interests are possible across the Middle East, including in Iran itself, over the short term.
Adhere to all instructions issued by local officials and security forces. If an attack alert is issued in the general vicinity, stay indoors and away from windows and exterior walls. If possible, move to a ground floor, basement, or bunker. Confirm flight reservations if scheduled to fly via an Israeli airport or Israeli airspace. Do not check out of accommodations until onward travel is confirmed. Maintain contact with your country's diplomatic mission.
Tehran's attack marks a major escalation in tensions between Iran and Israel. The assault comes after a suspected Israeli airstrike on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus April 1 killed several people, most notably including Iranian Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) Quds Force who led units in Lebanon and Syria.
