Israeli intelligence 'jammed GPS signals to confuse attackers'

Israel reportedly 'jammed GPS signals' in Tel Aviv in the days before Iran's 300-strong missile strike in a bid to confuse its attackers, as the IDF claimed to have intercepted '99 per cent' of Tehran's projectiles.

It is believed that Iran's drones and ballistic missiles were fitted with a Russian GLONASS system - a satellite navigation system - to break through the alleged jamming, according to the Mirror.

While Israeli locals are no strangers to having their navigation tools jammed during security alerts, some reportedly claimed that while they were using Waze and Google Maps yesterday, their GPS switched to show them to be in Cairo or Beirut.

The confusion was a deliberate attempt to throw their enemies' strikes off target, but the move meant an increased risk of them hitting other domestic areas.

It comes as Israel vowed to retaliate after the barrage of airstrikes amid rising fears of a more widespread conflict.

Israel reportedly 'jammed' GPS signals in the days before Iran's Saturday night's series of missile strikes in a bid to confuse Iranian enemies

Iran has said it had attacked Israel in 'self-defence' following the April 1 strike on its diplomatic mission in Damascus, which was widely blamed on Israel. Pictured are missiles yesterday

'We are aware that these disruptions cause inconveniences, but it is a vital and necessary tool in our defensive capabilities,' Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a televised briefing on Thursday night.

Disrupting the GPS signals in this way 'is a form of electronic warfare,' according to Oded Vanunu, who heads vulnerability research at Check Point Software Technologies. 

Iran claimed that the fierce bombardment of Israel is a response to the April 1 airstrike on an Iranian consulate building in the Syrian capital Damascus, which killed 12 Iranians and two senior commanders.

Iran has blamed Israel for the airstrike, but the country has not yet confirmed to carrying out what Iran has dubbed 'Operation True Promise'.

The massive air attack began on Saturday at around 8pm and lasted around five hours, according to US officials.

READ HERE: Terrifying map reveals the route strike force of 100 kamikaze drones will take to hit Israel - as Middle East teeters on the brink of full-scale war

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The strike marks the first time a direct military assault has been launched by Tehran on Israel despite decades enmity dating back to the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution. 

In Iran's first direct attack on Israel, missiles and Shahed 'kamikaze drones' were launched from its homeland and its proxies in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen. 

During the attack, explosions were heard across cities in Israel, including Tel Aviv and were even heard in Jerusalem as air raid sirens blared in over 720 locations.

Israel's chief military spokesman, Daniel Hagari, said Iran's attack involved more than 120 ballistic missiles, 170 drones, and more than 30 cruise missiles, according to reports. 

But the IDF claimed they intercepted '99 per cent' of Iran's missiles through the use of their Iron Dome defence system and through help from allies including the UK and the United States.

Speaking to media tonight, Hagari warned bigger plans for both offensive and defence action has been authorised following last night's attack by Iran. 

He said: 'Hamas and Iran want to ignite the Middle East and to escalate in the region,' adding that the IDF remains 'on high alert' and is 'assessing the situation'.

He went on: 'Over the last two hours, we approved operational plans for both offensive and defensive action.

Missiles which began to enter Israeli airspace were seen in video shared with MailOnline

'We will continue to protect the State of Israel, and together with our partners, we will continue to build a more secure and stable future for the entire Middle East'.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog chillingly warned on Sky News: 'Every one of us should look and ask what would we do if we were attacked from the four corners of the Middle East. 

'This is a declaration of war.

'We are considering our options and I am quite confident we will take steps to protect our people.

READ HERE: Inside Iran's frightening £800m war chest after country launches drone attack on Israel

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'There is an evil empire in Tehran, which has its proxies all over the region and with cells all over the world. 

'They're spending billions of dollars just in undermining stability in the region.'

He also said: 'Israel has undertaken all the necessary steps to block this attack, which was a violent, flagrant violation of all the rules.

'I am happy we are part of an incredible coalition of nations which has been part of preventing most of these missiles and weapons and drones from coming into Israel.

'Our air defence system has proven incredibly successful.

'We are here to protect Europe. Thank god for the Israeli military and its allies and also thanks to the British forces.'

Asked about the global warnings not to escalate, he said: 'The last thing Israel is seeking in this region is to go to war. We are seeking peace, we are peace-seekers.

A view shows drones or missiles vying for targets at undisclosed locations in northern Israel

Objects are seen in the sky above Jerusalem after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel

'Unfortunately it all started on the October 7 when Hamas led an unbelievably brutal massacre against Israeli citizens and the rest is history. We always listen to our partners and our allies, we respect their view.'

He said proportionally, last night's attack would look like 3,500 drones and missiles fired if the attack was aimed at the UK. 

He added: 'What would the British government do in that scenario?'

READ HERE: Terrifying map reveals the route strike force of 100 kamikaze drones will take to hit Israel - as Middle East teeters on the brink of full-scale war

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The UK was one of several countries, including the US, which helped counter Iran's bombardment - in its first ever direct strike on Israeli grounds.

Additional RAF jets were deployed over Iraq and Syria, not Israel, the Ministry of Defence said. 

Speaking to reporters in Downing Street, Sunak said if Iran had been successful in their attack 'the fallout for regional stability would be hard to overstate'.

He did not confirm how many Iranian drones were shot down by British forces.

Attack drones were intercepted by the RAF jets in Syrian and Iraqi airspace - but the MoD did not clarify how many British Typhoons were airborne. 

However, they reassured that the RAF would repeal 'any airborne attacks within range' of its operations in the area. 

Israel have already displayed signs of retaliation after levelling a building in east Lebanon earlier today.

A source within Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group said Israel struck one of its buildings close to the Syrian border today, as tensions soared after Iran directly attacked Israel.

The source told news agency AFP: 'The Israeli strike targeted an area... near Baalbek and targeted a two-storey building belonging to Hezbollah,' adding that there were no casualties reported.

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