Iran launches over 100 drones toward Israel, Netanyahu plane departs amid escalation

Iran has launched more than 100 drones toward Israel, Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari (Ef'i Daffrin) confirmed on Thursday. The drones are expected to reach Israeli airspace within hours, and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are on alert to intercept them.

The IDF also confirmed that over 200 Israeli aircraft carried out roughly 300 airstrikes on more than 100 Iranian targets overnight. Among those reportedly killed were Iranian military chief Mohammad Bagheri and several officials tied to Iran's nuclear weapons development.

The IDF cited Iran’s advancing nuclear program, its large stockpile of ballistic missiles, and its continued support for armed proxies as key reasons for launching the operation.

Israel is bracing for a major retaliation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in dual addresses in Hebrew and English, said Iran has enriched enough uranium for nine nuclear bombs and plans to produce 10,000 ballistic missiles within three years. He warned Israelis to prepare for possible prolonged sheltering.

Israeli media reported that the government aircraft "Knaf Tzion," used by Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, took off early Thursday, though the destination remains undisclosed.

N.Tebrizli