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.
US Embassy in Jerusalem lifts shelter-in-place order
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem early on Sunday lifted its shelter-in-place order for US government employees after the threat from Iranian drones and missiles "diminished."
But the embassy warned that security in Israel "remains complex" and can change quickly.
"The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem reminds U.S. citizens of the continued need for caution and increased personal security awareness as security incidents often take place without warning," the embassy said in a security alert.
-ABC News' Christopher Boccia and Kevin Shalvey
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
Troop withdrawal was to prepare for missions, including in Rafah, Israeli defense minister says
The withdrawal Sunday of Israeli troops from Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip was done to prepare forces for future missions, including in Rafah, according to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
“The withdrawal of troops from Khan Younis was carried out once Hamas ceased to exist as a military framework in the city," Gallant said Sunday. "Our forces left the area in order to prepare for their future missions, including their mission in Rafah.”
Speaking to reporters during a visit to the Israel Defense Forces' southern command, Gallant said, "We saw examples of such missions in Shifaa, and [will see] such missions in the Rafah area. We will reach a point when Hamas no longer controls the Gaza Strip and does not function as a military framework that poses a threat to the citizens of the State of Israel."
IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi also confirmed Sunday that "the war in Gaza continues" and Israel is "far from stopping."
Senior Hamas officials are still hiding in the southern Gaza Strip area, Halevi said in a statement.
"We will get to them sooner or later," Halevi said, adding that the IDF "will know how to return to fighting in the event of a truce as part of a hostage deal and that returning the hostages is a more urgent matter than other goals."
Halevi also said Israel is preparing to defend itself from a possible strike from Iran, which has vowed to retaliate against an airstrike allegedly carried out by Israel in Syria last week that killed a top Iranian commander.
Halevi said the IDF is fully prepared to deal with Tehran "in attack and defense."
-ABC News' Jordana Miller