On 1 October 2024, Iran attack Israel. Iran launched nearly 200 Fattah-1 and Kheibar Shekan ballistic missiles in the direction of Israel. Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced on Tuesday that it targeted Israel as retaliation for Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and southern Lebanon as well as the killing of Iranian, Hamas, and Hezbollah military figures.
On Tuesday, Israel found itself in a position of engaging in fights on three separate fronts, fighting Hamas in the south of Gaza and Hezbollah in the north of Lebanon and fending off an Iranian missile.
There were air raid sirens and explosions lit up the night sky, followed by loud booms, all of which were due to the Israeli interception of Iranian missiles. Meanwhile, Israel’s military spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, confirmed that though the majority of Iranian missiles were shot down, several missiles struck central and southern Israel.
Following this April attack, this was Iran’s second attack on Israel this year. Let’s discuss essential information about this new chapter in the Iran-Israel conflict and see how this conflict goes from words to war.
Details About What Happened on 1 October 2024 – Iran Attack Israel
- It is still unknown what the exact aim of Iran attack Israel was. However, the IRGC later noticed it stated that the rockets were directed at ‘important military and security objectives’ within the area of Israel.
- The IRGC declared that the attack was primarily targeted at three military bases in the Tel Aviv area.
- According to reports released by Iran’s state media, the attack included a strong cyberattack and the Iranian military’s first use of Fatah hypersonic ballistic missiles.
- The Israeli army insisted that it had managed to intercept most of the 180 missiles fired at it by Iran. However, northern and southern Israel sustained ‘isolated’ damages. The IRGC declared that 90% of the missiles may reach their destruction targets.
- Domestic US military officials stated that Mr. Sullivan validated the reaching condition, whereby the US military actively collaborated with Israel to attempt to shoot down the following missiles.
- No civilian deaths were recorded in Israel, Mr. Sullivan reported to the press from the White House.
Why did Iran launch Missiles on Israel?
The IRCG indicated in its statement that the Iran attack Israel missiles was an answer to the airborne international forces who performed what it calls the “violation of Iran’s sovereignty and the martyrdom” of Hamas POLITBURO ENVOY ISMAIL HANIYEH. He died after an explosion that the Iranians attributed to Israel, while the Israelis did not accept responsibility for it. The statement about the missile attack maintained that it was directed “in the action of proper self-defense of the nation.”
Moreover, it also stated that the attack was a response to Israel’s air presence over the southern parts of Beiriut a week ago that took the lives of top Hezbollah commander Sayyid Hassan Nasrullah and Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan. They command the military Qods unit.
This outbreak of the war came only a few hours after Israeli soldiers entered southern Lebanon. It was claimed that there were “Hezbollah terror targets” in border towns that could attack northern Israel’s peasant dwellers from the villages.
Israel has shifted their position from their previous defensive one during the war with Hamas. It has started offensive operations on the Shia Islamist political organization and the military organization, too. It had been almost a year since the start of the persistent cross-border armed conflict that followed the outbreak of war with Hamas in Gaza. Hezbollah and Hamas are supported by Iran and labeled as terrorist groups.
Israel’s Reaction to Missile Attack
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared at the cabinet meeting that the missile attack of the Iranian side is ‘failed.’ He also said that it was a huge mistake that the Iranians made.
“Our will to defend ourselves and exact revenge on our enemies is something the Iranian regime does not understand,” he added.
Yoav Gallant, the defense minister, put it in more straightforward words. ‘Iran simply does not understand that every aggressor who begins a war against the state of Israel and within his action is going to be quickly punished and is going to pay a heavy price.’
Defense Capabilities of Israel and Iran
Following Iran attack Israel, there is a chance of increased conflict. So, we are going to discuss the defense capabilities of each nation.
Military Spendings
In April 2024, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released the following fact sheet:
Iran has increased its military budget from 10.2 billion US dollars in 2022 to 10.3 billion in 2023.
Israel’s military expenditure for 2023 has reached 27.5 billion US$, 24 percent more than the amount spent in 2022. It is partly an increase due to the war in Gaza that started on the 7th of October.
Ground Forces
While Iran possesses around 10513 battle tanks and 6798 artillery guns, its battle strength includes more than 640 armored personnel carriers. The Iranian army has 50 Deth helicopters, while the IRGC comprises 5.
Israel has 400 battle tanks, 530 artillery guns, and 1190 personal carriers.
Air Force
Iran boasts 312 combat soldiers in aviation, while the IRGC contains 23 fighter jets. The air force of the opposing party has two ground attack helicopters, the army has 50, and the IRGC has 5.
Israel maintains 345 military offensive aircraft and 43 helicopters, specifically armored for combat.
Navy
The Iranian Navy owns 17 tactical submarines, 68 patrols and escort craft, 9 frigates, 12 landing craft, 11 ships for attack, and 18 boats for repairs and auxiliary use.
Israel owns 5 submarines and has 49 patrol and coastal fighters.
Missile Weapons
Iran possesses at least 12 missiles with medium and short range. Of these missiles, several are like the Tondar 69, which has a range of 150 km (93 miles). Furthermore, Khorramshahr and Sejjil range up to 2,000 km (1243 miles).
The Israeli arsenal shows at least four sets of interceptors, respectively, capable of destroying small, medium, and intermediate-range missiles in a linear progression from LORA hitting targets at 280 km (174 m) to Jericho 3 hitting targets between 4800 km (2983 m) and 6500 km (4039 m).
What has been the International Response to this conflict?
The adviser to the Biden administration, while briefing the reporters, mentioned that “there will be consequences and severe consequences. They will work with Israel to make that the case against Iran.”
Omar Rahman, a fellow member at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, said, “There is no question that one will come. Israel will match that action.” “You are going to get into the kind of conclusive action. He also said it is a reciprocal action that makes for getting into a bigger war.
