Updated 22.29 | Published 22.08
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fullscreen Stock image of an Iranian drone. It is still unclear which model of drone was fired at Israel. Photo: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP/TT
Iran has launched an attack on Israel with several drones, fired from Iranian territory, according to Israel’s military (IDF).
The drones are expected to take several hours before they reach Israel, says military spokesman Daniel Hagari according to AP. He also says that Israel is “ready”.
Daniel Hagari says that if Iranian weapons reach Israeli airspace, warning sirens will wail, Israeli news site Ynet reports.
He urges the public to stay in the shelters for at least ten minutes unless otherwise instructed.
Israel’s military writes on Telegram that Iran fired the drones “from its territory”.
“The IDF is on high alert and constantly monitors the operational situation. . . The IDF is monitoring all targets,” writes the military, urging the public to follow the instructions given.
Several Israeli warplanes are already in the air, and the neighboring country of Jordan has already decided on Saturday evening to close the airspace. Iraq is also said to be closing the airspace.
According to the Times of Israel, another wave of drones has also been launched after the first.
Iran has repeatedly threatened Israel after an attack that killed senior Iranian military personnel at the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus last week.
Israel has been on high alert awaiting Iran’s response.
Earlier on Saturday evening, just before the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel was prepared for a “direct attack from Iran”.
During the day, the Israeli military announced that schools in the country would be closed until Monday evening due to the increased threat picture, and that public gatherings of more than 1,000 people are prohibited.