IDF Reports limited damage by Iranian Missile Attack, As Israel Bans UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

As tensions escalate after last night’s Iranian Missle attack as revenge for the death of Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that several Iranian missiles targeted airbases in Israel on October 1, 2024. While the missile strikes resulted in damage to office buildings and maintenance areas, the military emphasized that no aircraft or critical infrastructure was harmed, ensuring the operational capability of the Israeli Air Force (IAF) remained intact. While Israel vows to respond, the political leadership of Israel continues to blatantly disregard international law, including now announcing a ban on UN Secretary-General António Guterres from entering the country. In a post on X, Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs declared UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres persona non grata in Israel and banned him from entering the country.

Today, I have declared UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres persona non grata in Israel and banned him from entering the country.

Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran’s heinous attack on Israel, as almost every country in the world has done, does not deserve to step…

— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) October 2, 2024

According to the IDF, the missile impacts were classified as “ineffective,” signifying that the strikes did not disrupt ongoing military operations. The IDF reported no damage to fighter jets, drones, or munitions, underscoring the effectiveness of Israel’s air defence systems. Following the attack, the IAF promptly continued its operations, which included significant strikes against Hezbollah positions in Beirut, support for ground forces in southern Lebanon, and further engagements in Gaza.

The IDF also highlighted that the missile attack caused only minor injuries, with two civilians in Tel Aviv suffering light shrapnel wounds. The military assesses the effectiveness of such attacks not merely by the number of projectiles launched but by the level of damage inflicted on critical infrastructure and the number of casualties incurred.

In light of the incident, the IDF is preparing a response against Iran, aligning with directives from the Israeli political leadership. This response comes amid heightened military readiness, signalling Israel’s commitment to safeguarding its national security interests against regional threats.

This missile attack underscores the volatile security situation in the region, where tensions between Israel and Iran have been escalating. The IDF’s swift response and the limited damage caused by the Iranian missile strikes illustrate the ongoing challenges both nations face in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.