Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that its airbases suffered damage in the missile strikes by Iran on Tuesday. However, the incident didn't handicap the operational capabilities of these Israeli Air Force (IAF) bases in any manner, IDF added.
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After around 180 missiles were launched at Israel, some of them hit the maintenance areas and office buildings of some Israeli Air Force bases. No aircraft stationed at these facilities were hit by the projectiles and none of its personnel suffered any injuries, officials reportedly told The Times Of Israel.
"No damage caused to fighter jets, drones, other aircraft, munitions and critical infrastructure," the report claims IAF as confirming.
Hours after the said strike, Israel was capable of using its air units to support offences in both Gaza and Lebanon, reports added. In a daring remark, Israel went on to call Iran's move "ineffective" as it failed to cause any significant damage to its assets or critical infrastructure. The number of ballistics launches is of little significance if they hit no targets and get thwarted successfully by air defence mechanisms, it reportedly added.
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Middle East conflict escalates: The story so far
Iran fired waves of ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday, hours after Lebanon witnessed the beginning of ground operations by IDF units. Later on Wednesday, Israel confirmed that regular infantry and armoured units were joining its ground operations in Lebanon, stepping up the pressure on Hezbollah and Tehran.
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While most of Iran's projectiles were intercepted by the defence mechanisms in place, some landed in central and southern Israel and two people were lightly wounded by shrapnel. An Iranian commander threatened wider strikes on infrastructure if Israel retaliated against Iran's territory.
According to CNN, Iran used variants of the Shahab-3 ballistic missile in the latest attack on Israel. Part of Iran's defence plans since 2003, Shahab-3 missiles are capable of carrying warheads weighing 760 to 1,200 kilograms each. Its recent variants -- Emad and Ghadr missiles -- have accuracies of as close to 300 meters of their intended targets, the report added.