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.


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.


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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


31 people treated for stress, minor injuries going to shelters: Israeli police

According to Israeli police, Magen David Adom EMTs and paramedics were dispatched to 31 casualties in mild condition with anxiety symptoms or injuries caused while seeking shelter.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky


Congress shows bipartisan support for Israel

Congressional members from both sides of the aisle are out in full force expressing their full support for Israel and its right to defend itself from strikes by Iran.

Republicans are also calling on President Joe Biden to do more to assist Israel and to get tougher on Iran.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, in a particularly strongly-worded statement, called on the administration to "lead an international effort to impose sufficient costs on Tehran to compel an end to its aggression and terror, both on Israeli soil and -- as demonstrated with today’s IRGC assault on a commercial shipping vessel -- around the region."

Congress has not yet approved additional aid to Israel specific to the escalating conflict in the region since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack.

The Senate approved billions in aid for Israel as part of its national defense supplemental, including aid for Ukraine. The House has not taken it up, and House Speaker Mike Johnson has instead said he's working on crafting yet-to-be-announced modifications to that package.

In a statement Saturday night, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said the House will "move from its previously announced legislative schedule next week to instead consider legislation that supports our ally Israel and holds Iran and its terrorist proxies accountable."

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin and John Parkinson


Biden and Netanyahu to speak this evening

A senior administration official confirmed to ABC News President Biden and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are planning to speak Saturday evening.

President Biden is currently back in the Situation Room in a follow-up meeting with his national security team. The first meeting they had this afternoon in lasted for approximately two hours.

The official said they could reconvene the meetings again later tonight.
-ABC News' Selina Wang


What US officials expect in the coming hours

The U.S. will try to help Israel intercept everything possible -- not just those that pass over U.S. ships -- despite Iran informing the U.S. that they should stay out of it, a senior U.S. official confirmed to ABC News.

In the coming hours the U.S. expects missile launches from Iran and southern Lebanon -- and maybe even the Houthis -- as well as drones, which take longer to reach target. The Iranians are trying to overwhelm the Israeli air defenses with drones and missiles coming in at different altitudes, speeds and directions -- but hitting targets at the same time, according to the official.

While the U.S. expects that most of these will be intercepted -- upwards of 85% -- the fear is that if any Israeli lives are lost, the Israeli response will be much bigger.

The target is believed to be three military bases, especially one where F-35s are kept. While these bases are relatively remote, there are towns nearby and these Iranian weapons are not completely accurate.

The U.S. has no doubt Israel will respond whether lives are lost or not. And that Iran itself will be targeted.

-ABC News' Martha Raddatz