Iran's attack on Israel: Eyewitness accounts reveal how the chaotic night unfolded

Iran, on Sunday, launched a major drone and missile attack against Israel. This aggressive move was in retaliation for an Israeli raid on the Iranian consulate in Syria two weeks prior, marking a severe intensification in the conflict dynamics in the Middle East.

The attack, described by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as Operation True Promise, was unprecedented both in scale and scope, involving hundreds of drones and missiles fired not only from Iran but also from allied territories in Iraq and Yemen. According to the IRGC, this was a direct response to what it called “the Zionist entity’s crime of targeting the Iranian consulate.”

Here’s a look at how eyewitnesses saw the events unfold.

Under the cover of darkness

Several videos posted on social media suggest that the offensive began under the cover of darkness and continued into the early hours, with air raid sirens echoing through the night across Israeli cities including Tel Aviv. The sounds of explosions were a stark background as Israel’s air defences engaged the incoming threats. The Israeli military confirmed the attacks originated from multiple fronts.

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The Israeli military’s response to the crisis was swift, with spokespeople like Daniel Hagari issuing urgent advisories for citizens to seek shelter and stay prepared for more possible attacks. This state of high alert rippled through the populace.

A rush for essential supplies

In Jerusalem, the situation on the ground was tense. Residents, including 49-year-old Eliyahu Barakat, a local grocery shop owner, experienced the immediate impact of the crisis. Barakat noted a sudden rush of customers stocking up on essentials. AFP quoted him as saying that many people visited his shop to stock up on supplies, “water, food, everything.”

The same scene was replicated across the city as people prepared for prolonged uncertainty. The community’s response was a blend of fear and pragmatism

“Normally we close at one o’clock but we will stay open,” Barakat said.

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Further north, in communities close to the Lebanese border, the fear of conflict spilling over was palpable. Summer Khalil from Majd al-Krum said, “If I hear the sirens, I don’t know what to do, we are near the Lebanese border[…]I bought 30 bottles of water, they were almost the last bottles. There was no milk in the shop,” she said.

Uncertainty prevail

Michael Uzan, a 52-year-old dentist, shared how his family got together at a relative’s home. “No work tomorrow. Even meetings, everything is cancelled. For children, schools are closed[…]everything is cancelled,” he said.

The events following Israel’s military action in Gaza, which has been marked by heavy casualties and humanitarian crises, are now intricately linked with Iran’s aggressive stance, setting the stage for an unpredictable and volatile future.