UPDATE 2 – Iran launches dozens of drones on Israel amid escalation

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By Syed Zafar Mehdi

JERUSALEM (AA) - Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles toward Israel amid escalating tensions between the two rivals following last week’s attack on the Iranian Consulate in Syria, the Israeli army confirmed Saturday.

Military spokesman Daniel Hagari said the drones are expected to take hours to reach their targets.

He said there will be GPS disruptions as the military works to intercept the drones.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed that the military fired dozens of drones and missiles toward Israel.

It said the attack came in response to "numerous crimes" by Israel, including last week’s attack on the consular section of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus.

The Israeli army said its forces are on high alert following the Iranian attack.

“The IDF (army) Aerial Defense Array is on high alert, along with IAF fighter jets and Israeli Navy vessels that are on a defense mission in Israeli air and naval space. The IDF is monitoring all targets,” it said in a statement.

At least 13 people were killed in the missile attack on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus on April 1, including seven military advisers. Tehran blamed Israel for the attack.

Among those killed were Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior IRGC commander in Syria and Lebanon, and his deputy, Gen. Hadi Haj Rahemi.

After the attack, top Iranian and military leaders vowed a “decisive response,” but the exact timing was not specified.

Addressing a gathering Wednesday for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr in Tehran, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel “will be punished” for the attack.

Experts said the Iranian attack is likely to spark a regional conflict if Israel retaliates.

*Mohammad Sio contributed to this story from Istanbul