Iran attacks Israel Highlights: Israel vows retaliation after Iran launches over 200 ballistic missiles into its territory

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As Iran fired a salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday in retaliation for Israel’s campaign against Tehran’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon, the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv issued a security advisory to its nationals in Israel.

Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India is “very much concerned” at the “possibility of a broadening of the conflict” in the region, including what happens “between Iran and Israel”. (Read More)

The Iranian missile attack on Israel appears to have been defeated and ineffective, says US President Joe Biden.

At my direction, the United States military actively supported the defence of Israel. We are still assessing the impact but, based on what we know, the attack appears to have been defeated and ineffective and this is a testament to Israeli military capability… (It is) also a testament to intensive planning (between) the United States and Israel to anticipate and defend against a brazen attack," he said speaking to reporters at the White House.

"Make no mistake, the United States is fully supportive of Israel. And I just spent the morning and part of the afternoon in the situation room, meeting with my whole national security team… The national security team, as I said, is in constant contact with Israeli officials and counterparts...," he added.

UK Defense secretary on Tuesday said that British forces played a key role in preventing further escalation fuelled by Iran’s missile attack on Israel.

His statement comes after UK PM Kier Starmer assured Israel of his “steadfast commitment” to the country’s security.

Background: Iran fired a salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israel's campaign against Tehran's Hezbollah allies in Lebanon, and Israel vowed a "painful response" against its enemy.

The European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has condemned the barrage of missile attacks by Iran on Israeli territory which included over 200 missiles. He said that there should be restraint from both the sides.

Josep further stated, "The EU condemns in the strongest terms Iran’s attack against Israel. We reiterate our commitment to Israel’s security."

Josep further added in a social media post that "This cycle of attacks risks fuelling an uncontrollable regional escalation. We call on all parties to exert maximum restraint."

After Israel's anti-missile defence system shot down missiles fired by Iran in a retaliatory attack, the US Vice President Kamala Harris supported American troops involvement in the operation and said that US is right in supporting Israel.

The Democratic Party candidate for the upcoming US elections in November, Harris said she watched the attack unfold in real time from the White House Situation Room and called Iran as a "destabilising force" in the Middle East region.

Harris said, "My commitment to the security of Israel is unwavering, US will never hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to defend US forces and interests against Iran and Iran-backed terrorists."

After Iran launched a barrage of missile on Israel in response to the assassinations of senior Hezbollah, Hamas and Iranian officials, the death of one man has been reported by the Palestinian authorities.

The Palestinian civil defence authority in the occupied West Bank city of Jericho said that a man aged 38 years old died of shrapnel wounds which were falling from the rocket debris.

Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari had already claimed that there were no reports of ay casualties in Israel emanating from the Iran's missile attack.

The Defence Secretary of the United Kingdom confirmed the involvement of UK's armed forces in the operation where Israel defended itself against Iran's attack of barrage of missiles on Tuesday.

Defence Secretary John Healey, without giving much detail about the UK's involvement in Israel's defense, said "British forces have this evening played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation. I want to thank all British personnel involved in the operation for their courage and professionalism," according to a BBC report.

The Iran had launched over 200 missiles on Israel in a retaliation of the recent aggression of Israel in the Middle East region against Palestine, Lebanon and Iran.

Amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East, the US President Joe Biden has ordered the American military to shoot down missiles being fired by Iran towards Israel as Tehran attacked Tel Aviv with a barrage of ballistic missiles on Tuesday.

President Biden ordered the US military to aid the Israel’s Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in neutralizing the missiles and other air borne attacks being carried out by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC), the White House National Security Council said on Tuesday.

Iran fired a salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday amid escalating tensions between Hezbollah and Israeli forces. The attack marks a significant rise in the regions conflict which has been volatile since Gaza based Hamas militant group attacked Israel in October 2023.

(Read more from the report)

Iran's armed forces said on Tuesday said they would target the "bases and interests" of Israel's backers in the region if they directly intervene against Tehran, adding that any Israeli response to its missile attack would be met with "vast destruction" of Israeli infrastructure.

(Reuters)

Iran called upon the United Nations Security Council to prevent further escalation of tensions in the Middle East after it launched barrage of ballistic missiles on Israel on Tuesday.

The Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps detailed about its attack on Israel and said that it was a retaliation against the ongoing Israeli killings in the Middle East region, including Lebanon based Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah and Revolutionary Guards deputy Commander Abbas Nilforoushan.

"Our defensive operation is in line with international law and the right to self defence...we only targeted military and security facilities," the foreign ministry said in its statement regarding the missile attack on Israel.

Earlier, in a post on X, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said that the attack on Israel was "in defence of Iranian interests and citizens".

Iraq's transport ministry announced that it has reopened its airspace after a brief closure due to the Iran's ballistic missile attack on Israel.

The Iraqi airspace was opened to incoming and outgoing of civilian flights at Iraqi airports.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Iran made a big mistake by attacking his country with barrage of missiles and it will pay for its deed.

Speaking at the cabinet meeting of Israeli ministers, PM Netanyahu said, "Iran does not understand" his country's "determination to retaliate" against its enemies.

Adding further to his remarks, Netanyahu said, "They will understand. We will stand by the rule we established: whoever attacks us - we will attack them," according to BBC.

The Palestinian group calls the Iranian missile launch “heroic” and urges people and governments across the region to unite in confronting Israel.

“We assert that this honourable Iranian response is a strong message to the Zionist enemy and its fascist government that will help deter and reign in their terrorism,” Hamas said in a statement.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that around 180 missiles were launched from Iran towards Israel, according to the BBC.

A security official stated that the majority of the missiles were intercepted by the Israeli air force. The military is currently assessing the damage where missiles did make impact.

An IDF official also indicated that Israel intends to continue its strikes across the Middle East.

Images from the newswires as missiles started flying across Israel

(AP)

(REUTERS)

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin informed his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, that Washington had “increased force readiness” in the region in response to the anticipated Iranian attack.

The call seems to have occurred before Iran launched hundreds of missiles toward Israel.

According to the Pentagon statement, “The Secretary and Minister Gallant discussed the severe consequences for Iran should it choose to launch a direct military attack against Israel.”

Reports indicate that the Israeli military has informed residents across the country that they are now “permitted to leave protected spaces.”

The ballistic missiles began flying into Israeli airspace, passing over parts of Jordan, just over an hour ago, following several tense hours of warnings that an attack was imminent.

In a televised address, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari stated that there have been no reports of injuries on the ground as Iran fired what is believed to be around 200 rockets.

He added that there appears to be no immediate threat of incoming weapons from Iran “for now,” but reassured that Israel remains prepared.

Israel has also reopened its airspace in the past few moments.

The Israeli military spokesman is currently on television responding to what the country is describing as a “serious attack” by Iran today.

Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), asserted that the attack “will have consequences” and emphasized that the country remains on high alert.

The situation across Israel and the region is extremely tense tonight, with the time just after 8:30 PM in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

The barrage of missiles over Israel moments ago followed warnings earlier today from an unnamed senior US administration official, who stated that Iran was preparing to "imminently" launch a ballistic missile attack on Israel.

It was not long before the threatened attack materialised, and we are awaiting news on its impact on the ground in Israel. Residents across the country were ordered to take shelter, with many rushing to air raid shelters as rockets were seen and heard whizzing over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

The Associated Press reported that the US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, stated that the US is actively supporting Israeli defensive preparations.

Israel employs an air defence system known as the Iron Dome, designed to intercept incoming missiles before they can reach their targets.

Israel has suspended air travel in and out of the country, while Iraq, located directly to the east of Israel’s neighbour Jordan, has closed its airspace, according to Reuters.

Shortly before these latest developments, Israeli army radio reported that all take-offs and landings at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv have been halted following the missile launches from Iran towards Israel.

Explosions can be heard over Tel Aviv, accompanied by the wailing of warning sirens throughout the city, Israel’s largest urban and economic centre.

Witnesses in Jerusalem have also reported hearing explosions, according to Reuters.

Israeli media reports that Iran has launched over 100 missiles at Israel. It remains unclear whether the missiles are hitting their targets or being intercepted in the air above the cities. This situation is rapidly unfolding.

The Israeli military has now confirmed that sirens are sounding across the country.

The Israel Defense Forces tweeted, "Sirens are sounding across Israel. All Israeli civilians are in bomb shelters as rockets from Iran are fired at the country."

Israel’s military spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, stated today that any missile strike from Iran is likely to be on a large scale. He urged citizens to take refuge in safe rooms should such an event occur.

In a televised address, Hagari also confirmed that the barrage of rockets aimed at the Tel Aviv region, which triggered air raid sirens, was launched by Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group operating out of Lebanon, according to a report by Reuters.

The Israeli military has reported that missiles have been launched from Iran towards Israel, according to Reuters.

There have already been reports of air raid sirens sounding in Tel Aviv, and warning sirens are now also activated in Jerusalem, as reported by the news agency.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on Israelis to follow the safety instructions issued by the home front command, amid warnings from a White House official that an Iranian ballistic missile attack on Israel could be imminent.

In a video address to the nation, Netanyahu stated that Israel is "in the midst of a campaign against Iran's axis of evil." He expressed determination to enable residents in the north to return to their homes but acknowledged that "great challenges" lie ahead.

Netanyahu emphasised the importance of adhering strictly to the directives of the military's home front command and urged citizens to "stand together." "Together we will fight and together we will win," he declared.

Hezbollah says it has launched missiles towards Sde Dov airbase on the outskirts of the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, Reuters reported.

Israeli military announces the call-up of four more reserve brigades for operations in the northern border with Lebanon.

“This will enable the continuation of operational activity against the Hezbollah terrorist organisation and the achievement of operational goals, including the safe return of residents of northern Israel to their homes,” the military said in a statement.

- Hezbollah denies claims that Israeli forces have crossed into southern Lebanon, despite Israel stating its forces are conducting "limited" raids in the area.

- The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) confirmed that Israel notified them about a planned limited ground offensive, adding that peacekeepers are "in position" in the region.

- The Israeli military has warned residents of 25 villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately and move north of the Awali River.