Iran launches unprecedented direct drone and missile attack on Israel

Iran launched a large direct attack against Israel during the night of 13 April 2024, firing drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles from Iranian territory. It was the first openly acknowledged attack of this scale launched directly by Iran against Israel rather than through allied groups.

Iran said the operation was retaliation for the 1 April strike on its diplomatic compound in Damascus. Israel, the United States, United Kingdom, France and regional partners detected and intercepted most incoming weapons. Some missiles reached Israel, damaging an air base, and a child was seriously injured by falling fragments.

Interception rates and exact weapon counts varied among official reports and should be attributed. Defensive success does not make the launch harmless, while limited physical damage does not establish that every missile lacked a military target. Civilian risk arose from both impacts and debris.

Iran invoked self-defence, and Israel and allies condemned the action. Legal assessment depends on the prior strike, necessity, proportionality and the prohibition on force; it is not resolved by either party's label. The attack raised concern about a wider regional war.

The April escalation entry covers the Iranian launch and immediate interceptions. Israel's later response is separate. It preserves the escalation sequence without treating retaliation as automatic legal justification or assuming that participation in interception made every supporting state a belligerent in all aspects of the conflict.