One year ago, on October 26, 2024, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) undertook a series of precise, intelligence-guided strikes on military targets deep inside Iran. This operation, conducted in direct response to months of attacks by the Iranian regime against Israel, marked a significant turning point in the ongoing shadow conflict between the two regional rivals. As the anniversary passes, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have released new documentation, offering a rare glimpse into the scale and impact of the operation that, according to military officials, paved the way for Israel’s subsequent Operation ‘Rising Lion’ in June 2025.
According to i24NEWS, the October 2024 strikes were not just another episode in the long-running tension between Israel and Iran. Instead, they were a calculated effort to cripple Iran’s ability to threaten Israel with long-range ballistic missiles. The IAF targeted production facilities for these ballistic missiles—sites that intelligence suggested were intended to supply weapons capable of striking deep into Israeli territory. The strikes didn’t stop there. Several advanced surface-to-air missile arrays, positioned across multiple Iranian locations, were also dismantled in the coordinated assault.
This dual-pronged approach was no accident. Military officials told i24NEWS that by destroying both offensive missile production facilities and the defensive missile arrays that shielded them, Israel managed to achieve two critical objectives: it weakened Tehran’s offensive capabilities and, perhaps more importantly, expanded Israel’s aerial freedom of operation in Iranian airspace. In the words of one IDF spokesperson, "The destruction of these air defense systems expanded Israel’s aerial freedom of operation in Iranian airspace, providing a significant operational advantage ahead of the subsequent Operation ‘Rising Lion.’”
The footage released by the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit underscores just how precise and effective these strikes were. Video clips show Israeli jets zeroing in on key missile and air-defense installations, with explosions lighting up the night sky above Iranian military compounds. The message was clear: Israel was not only willing but able to degrade Iran’s long-range strike capabilities, even at considerable distances from its own borders.
For many in Israel’s defense establishment, the operation was a long time coming. The months leading up to October 2024 had seen a marked escalation in hostilities, with Iranian-backed proxies launching attacks against Israeli targets and the Iranian regime itself ramping up its rhetoric and actions. The decision to strike back—hard—was, according to the IDF, a direct response to these provocations. As one military official put it, "The operation was in direct response to attacks by the Iranian regime against the State of Israel in the months leading up to the strikes."
The strikes’ immediate tactical impact was significant. By targeting and destroying Iran’s ballistic missile production capacity, Israel effectively bought itself time and breathing room. But the broader strategic implications were just as important. The dismantling of advanced surface-to-air missile arrays meant that Israeli aircraft would face less resistance in future operations over Iranian airspace—a point not lost on defense analysts or military planners. As reported by i24NEWS, "Military officials said the destruction of these air defense systems expanded Israel’s aerial freedom of operation in Iranian airspace, providing a significant operational advantage ahead of the subsequent Operation ‘Rising Lion.’"
This operational advantage would prove crucial in the months that followed. In June 2025, Israel launched Operation ‘Rising Lion,’ a campaign that relied heavily on the aerial superiority established by the previous year’s strikes. The IDF has been keen to highlight this connection, with newly published documentation showing how the October 2024 operation "significantly degraded Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities and expanded Israel’s freedom of action," as noted in recent IDF releases.
The anniversary of the operation comes at a time when tensions between Israel and Iran—and their respective allies—remain high. Iranian-backed groups across the region continue to pose a threat, and Israel has made it clear that it will not hesitate to act decisively to prevent the Iranian regime from strengthening its offensive capabilities. The release of new footage and documentation serves as both a reminder of Israel’s military prowess and a warning to its adversaries that it retains the ability to strike where and when it deems necessary.
Yet, the strikes also raise broader questions about the ongoing cycle of escalation between Israel and Iran. For years, both sides have engaged in a shadow war—one that plays out in the skies above Syria, the deserts of Iraq, and, increasingly, in the heart of Iran itself. Each new operation, each targeted strike, adds another layer of complexity to a conflict that shows little sign of abating.
Some observers have pointed out that while the October 2024 operation may have bought Israel some operational breathing room, it is unlikely to resolve the deeper strategic rivalry between the two nations. Iran’s missile program, after all, is vast and resilient, and the regime in Tehran has shown a remarkable ability to rebuild and adapt in the face of external pressure. Still, the message from Jerusalem is unambiguous: Israel will not allow its enemies to gain the upper hand, and it is prepared to act—forcefully—when it perceives a direct threat.
As the region continues to grapple with instability, the legacy of the October 2024 strikes looms large. The operation not only showcased Israel’s military capabilities but also set the stage for future engagements, most notably Operation ‘Rising Lion.’ For Israeli officials, the lesson is clear: deterrence requires both the willingness and the ability to act decisively, even in the face of formidable adversaries.
For now, the IDF’s newly released footage and documentation serve as a stark reminder of the stakes involved—and the lengths to which Israel is prepared to go to defend its citizens. As tensions with Iran and its proxies simmer across multiple fronts, the events of October 26, 2024, stand as a testament to the enduring, and often perilous, calculus of security in the Middle East.
