Israel-Gaza updates: 22, including 18 children, reported dead in Rafah strikes
The IDF says it struck military targets of terrorist organizations in Gaza.
Israel launched a retaliatory strike against Iran early Friday morning local time, a senior U.S. official told ABC News.
The strike followed Iran's attack on Saturday, when Tehran sent a volley of more than 300 drones and missiles toward targets in Israel, according to Israeli military officials. All but a few were intercepted by Israel and its allies, including the United States, officials said.
Iran's weekend attack came more than six months after Hamas terrorists invaded Israel on Oct. 7, after which the Israeli military began its bombardment of Gaza.
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What to know about Iran's attack on Israel
Israeli officials said the country's Iron Dome defense system endured a big test from Iran's attack on Saturday, intercepting 99% of the 300 "threats of various types" thrown at it.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Daniel Hagari, launched 170 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), more than 120 ballistic missiles and more than 30 cruise missiles in the attack.
Hagari said "99% of the threats launched towards Israeli territory were intercepted -- a very significant strategic achievement."
Hagari said the attack resulted in only one known Israeli casualty, a 7-year-old girl who was severely injured when she was struck by shrapnel apparently from an intercepted missile.
Blinken condemns attack
Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned Iran's attack on Israel, saying the U.S. doesn't seek escalation but will support Israel's right to defend itself and will protect U.S. personnel in the Middle East.
"The United States condemns Iran's attack on Israel in the strongest terms," Blinken said in a statement.
He added that he'll be "consulting with allies and partners in the region and around the world in the hours and days ahead."
-ABC News' Shannon K. Crawford
US shot down about 70 Iranian drones in Israel, officials say
Two U.S. officials confirmed that U.S. forces shot down about 70 Iranian drones headed towards Israel.
One official added that one of the U.S. Navy destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean was also able to bring down an undetermined number of Iranian ballistic missiles.
One of the officials said the destroyer shot down three Iranian ballistic missiles.
-ABC News’ Luis Martinez
Shelter in place lifted in some areas of Israel
The Israel Defense Forces Aerial Defense Array successfully intercepted the majority of Iran's surface-to-surface missile launches using the "Arrow" Aerial Defense System, together with Israel's strategic allies, before the launches crossed into Israeli territory.
A small number of hits were identified, including at an IDF base in southern Israel, where minor damage was caused to infrastructure.
Over the past few hours, many dozens of hostile aircraft, as well as dozens of cruise missiles, from Iran were identified approaching Israeli territory and intercepted. Dozens of IAF fighter jets are currently operating to intercept all aerial threats approaching Israeli territory.
According to a situation analysis by IDF’s Home Front Command, the residents of the following towns: Northern Golan, Nevatim, Dimona, Eilat-City, Be'er Sheva and Arad no longer need to stay near a protected space.
The IDF said it is deployed on all fronts, prepared, and continuing to defend Israeli territory.
-ABC News' Will Gretsky
US helped 'take down nearly all' incoming drones, missiles: Biden
The U.S. helped "Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles," President Joe Biden said in a statement late Saturday evening.
The president also detailed his call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the attacks, where Biden said he reaffirmed America's "ironclad commitment to the security of Israel." He also said that his team would stay in "close touch" with Israel's leaders.
Biden said his team will engage with the G7 leaders on Sunday to coordinate a "united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack."
He noted that though American forces were not impacted, forces will continue to monitor and "will not hesitate to take all necessary action to protect our people."
-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart
'No higher priority': Harris meets with American hostages' families
During a meeting at the White House on Tuesday with the families of Americans being held hostage by Hamas, Vice President Kamala Harris said there is "no higher priority than reuniting the hostages with their loved ones," according to a White House readout.
Harris also reaffirmed the United States' commitment to bringing home the remains of those hostages who have been confirmed dead, according to the readout.
Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose 23-year-old son Hersh is being held hostage by Hamas, described the meeting with Harris as "very productive."
“There is a possibility of holding two truths,” Goldberg-Polin told reporters outside the White House. “You can believe, as we do, that it is horrible that innocent civilians in Gaza are suffering, and at the same time you can also know that it is horrible and against international law for hostages to be held against their will."
Goldberg-Polin said her son got his arm blown off during Hamas' attack at the Nova Music festival on Oct. 7. Her husband, Jonathan Polin, said that they "have no choice but to stay hopeful."
Jonathan Dekel-Chen, the father of American hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen, called on Hamas to reach a deal to release the hostages.
"We are waiting now and the world waits for Hamas to get to yes," Dekel-Chen told reporters. "It is in their court."
-ABC News' Juhi Doshi