IDF acknowledges airbases were damaged by Iranian missiles, says IAF operations continued unharmed

Several airbases in southern Israel suffered light damage in the missile assault launched by the Iranian regime on Tuesday evening, according to a statement on Wednesday from Israel Defense Forces.

IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Daniel Hagari previously mentioned several missiles struck central and southern Israel soon after the attack, but did not provide further details.

Three Israelis were lightly wounded by shrapnel, while the only fatality from the attack took place in Jericho, where a Palestinian man from Gaza was killed when a large piece of an intercepted missile fell on him. In addition, hundreds of buildings were damaged by missiles and shrapnel from interceptions.

On Wednesday, the IDF announced that several office buildings and maintenance areas in airbases were struck by missiles, without impacting the continuous functioning of the Air Force.

Contrary to rumors and fake news circulating on social media, there was no damage sustained to IAF fighter jets, drones, aircraft ammunition or critical infrastructure at the airbases.

סוכנות הידיעות AP פרסמה הלילה תמונות לווין של בסיס נבטים, שמציגות נזק לגג של מבנה מרכזי - בסמוך לאחד ממסלולי ההמראה והנחיתה בבסיס.
בסוכנות מציינים כי תמונות הלווין שמציגות את הנזקים צולמו ביום רביעי (יום לאחר המתקפה האיראנית), וביום שני הנזקים האלה לא נצפו.
כזכור - צה״ל עצמו… pic.twitter.com/P4UDJWhCQe

— דורון קדוש | Doron Kadosh (@Doron_Kadosh) October 3, 2024

The IDF, therefore, officially classified the attack as “ineffective.”

Satellite imagery published by the Associated Press and taken on Wednesday showed a damaged roof on a building near one of the runways of Nevatim Airbase, home to the IAF’s F-35 squadron.

Iran’s military chief, Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, claimed the missiles targeted three Israeli military bases and the headquarters of Mossad, Israel’s foreign intelligence service, in northern Tel Aviv.

Most of the around 190 ballistic missiles were intercepted by Israeli air defenses, mainly the Arrow 3 system and David’s Sling, with support from the militaries of the United States, Great Britain and France.

תיעוד יוצא דופן שהתפרסם הלילה: צלם ירדני הציב מצלמה שתיעדה את שמי ירדן במהלך ערב המתקפה האיראנית ב-1/10. ניתן לראות את הטילים שעושים את דרכם לישראל, בשני גלים נפרדים, כשהגל הראשון מסיבי יותר. ניתן לראות גם מספר יירוטים שבוצעו בשמי ירדן pic.twitter.com/JHXkhHGwg9

— דורון קדוש | Doron Kadosh (@Doron_Kadosh) October 3, 2024

“Yesterday, Iran launched about 200 missiles at the State of Israel,” said IDF Chief of Staff, Lt.-Col. Herzi Halevi during a visit to Tel Nof Airbase.

“Iran attacked civilian areas and endangered the lives of many civilians. Thanks to proper civilian behavior and quality defense, the damage is relatively small. We will respond, we know how to locate important targets, we know how to strike accurately and powerfully.”

“I arrived at Tel Nof Air Force Base before the start of the holiday. The base is fully operational, it has not stopped operating for a moment and continues to carry out attacks wherever it is needed,” said Halevi.

“We have the ability to reach and attack any point in the Middle East. And those of our enemies who have not understood this until now, will understand it soon.”