Iran has launched a series of missiles at Israel as air raid sirens have sounded across the country and Israelis rush for shelter.
Iran’s revolutionary guards say they have launched tens of missiles to Israel on Tuesday, while Israeli media is reporting that Iran has launched more than 100 missiles at Israel.
The Israeli military said around 10 million civilians are the targets of the Iranian projectiles in a statement issued as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly convenes the Israeli security cabinet at the government bunker near Jerusalem.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Israeli military had announced that any ballistic missile strike from Iran was expected to be widespread and told the public to shelter in safe rooms in the event of an attack.
Israeli army spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the country’s air defense system was fully operational, detecting and intercepting threats. “However, the defense is not hermetic,” he said.
It comes after senior US officials warned Iran was preparing to “imminently” fire ballistic missiles at Israel.
The officials said the US is “actively assisting in military preparations to defend Israel against this Iranian attack”.
Iran vowed last week that what it calls Israel’s “criminal acts”, referring to widespread bombing of Lebanon, Syria and Yemen, will not go unanswered.
In April, Iran fired around 300 missiles and rockets at Israel, though the significant majority were intercepted.
It comes as witnesses reported more airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, where Hezbollah forces are believed to be stationed.
The Lebanese state-run National News Agency confirmed reports of multiple strikes in Beirut. Independent reporters on the ground also backed the reports.
In the early hours of Tuesday, Israel announced it was carrying out “targeted” raids into southern Lebanon.
It is the first time Israel has invaded its northern neighbour since 2006, when the two engaged in a month-long all-out war.
Israel carried out dozens of raids into Lebanon over the past year, declassified report says
Israeli forces have been carrying out raids into southern Lebanon for months, uncovering Hezbollah tunnels and weapon caches under homes and discovering invasion plans by the group, an Israeli military spokesman has claimed.
The spokesperson said the details are being declassified for the first time, hours after Israel officially announced a ground operation against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
The declassified report was posted by military spokesperson Daniel Hagari on X, formerly Twitter.
The report claimed that “following intelligence gathered over many years, dozens of ground operations have been carried out within the territory of Lebanon since the beginning of the war”.
Though Israel says it did not engage in fighting during the secret raids, they reported they discovered numerous weapons. They added that they had neutralised 700 targets.
Tom Watling1 October 2024 13:49
Videos of missiles flying over Tehran shared by Iranian news agency
Videos of missiles flying above the Iranian capital were shared by the Iranian Student News Agency on Tuesday, after the Israeli military announced missiles were fired from Iran.
The projectiles have also been intercepted by Jordanian airspace while loud explosions are being heard in Jerusalem, witnesses have reported.
Holly Evans1 October 2024 18:01
IDF has urged civilians to ‘remain alert’ and enter a protected space
The Israeli military has just released a statement as missiles continue to be fired from Iran: “A short while ago, missiles were launched from Iran towards the State of Israel.
“You are instructed to remain alert and precisely follow the Home Front Command’s instructions
“In the last few minutes, the Home Front Command has distributed life-saving instructions in various areas across the country. The public is asked to adhere to the Home Front Command’s guidelines. Upon hearing a siren, you must enter a protected space and remain there until further notice.
“The IDF is doing and will do everything necessary to protect the civilians of the State of Israel.”
Holly Evans1 October 2024 17:57
Over 100 missiles launched towards Israel, reports say
Israeli media is reporting that Iran has launched more than 100 missiles at Israel.
Israeli army spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the country’s air defense system was fully operational, detecting and intercepting threats. “However, the defense is not hermetic,” he said.
Holly Evans1 October 2024 17:55
Biden says US prepared to help Israel defend itself
US President Joe Biden said on Tuesday the United States was prepared to help Israel defend itself from Iranian missile attacks and to protect American military in the region.
“We discussed how the United States is prepared to help Israel defend against these attacks, and protect American personnel in the region,” Biden said on X about a meeting held with Vice President Kamala Harris and the White House national security team earlier in the day.z
Holly Evans1 October 2024 17:52
Alarms sound across Israel as missiles launched from Iran
Alarms have sounded across the country and Israelis have rushed for shelter while reporters on state television have been seen laying flat on the ground during live broadcasts.
Earlier, the military had announced that any ballistic missile strike from Iran was expected to be widespread and told the public to shelter in safe rooms in the event of an attack.
Iran has vowed to retaliate following attacks that killed the top leadership of its Hezbollah allies in Lebanon.
Holly Evans1 October 2024 17:49
Israeli military says missiles launched from Iran into Israel
The Israeli military has said missiles have been launched from Iran into Israel.
A warning alarm from Isael’s home front command has been heard sounding in Jerusalem on Tuesday.
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 17:37
US defense secretary Austin speaks with Israeli counterpart, officials say
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by phone on Tuesday, two US officials told Reuters, amid US warnings of an expected Iranian missile attack on Israel.
The United States has repeatedly said it would help defend Israel against any Iranian attack.
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 17:31
Watch: Israel troops prepare for targeted ground operation in Lebanon
Watch as Israeli troops prepare for a targeted ground operation in Lebanon.
Israel announced overnight on Monday (30 September) that it had launched “targeted” raids on Hezbollah positions on the border with southern Lebanon, controlled by Hezbollah.
Watch: Israel troops prepare for targeted ground operation in Lebanon
Watch as Israeli troops prepare for a targeted ground operation in Lebanon. Israel announced overnight on Monday (30 September) that it had launched “targeted” raids on Hezbollah positions on the border with southern Lebanon, controlled by Hezbollah. A lieutenant commanding Israel’s Egoz unit reportedly told troops before going in that their operation was part of a “more substantial invasion” intended to halt Hezbollah’s ability to attack the northern territories across the border. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Makati said today (1 October) that this is “one of the most dangerous phases” in the country’s history.
Alex Croft1 October 2024 17:30
UN chief calls for immediate ceasefire in Lebanon
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed on Tuesday for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country to be respected, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.
“An all-out war must be avoided in Lebanon at all costs,” Dujarric said in a statement, adding that Guterres spoke with Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati earlier on Tuesday, telling him the UN was ready to help those in need.
“The Secretary-General will continue his contacts, and his representatives on the ground will also continue their efforts to de-escalate the situation,” Dujarric said.
He later told reporters at a briefing that UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, had seen sporadic incursions by the Israeli military.
“The information they have and they’ve received … is that they’ve seen sporadic incursions by the IDF,” Dujarric said. “They have not witnessed a full-scale invasion.”
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 17:28