Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles targeting Israel, saying it was a retaliation for the killings of the leaders of its allies Hezbollah and Hamas.
Jerusalem: Israel has vowed to retaliate after Iran launched several waves of missile attacks at Israel on the night of October 1. Hours after the Iranian strike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a Security Cabinet meeting said: "Iran made a big mistake tonight, and it will pay for it".
At least 200 ground-to-ground missiles were fired from Iran, activating sirens across the country and sending millions of residents running to shelters, Israel's Channel 13 TV news reported. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari said: "Iran's attack is a severe and dangerous escalation. There will be consequences... We will respond wherever, whenever and however we choose, in accordance with the directive of the government of Israel".
Israel's rescue services reported that two people in Tel Aviv were lightly injured by shrapnel, noting that a building in the northern part of the city was damaged. There have been no immediate reports of fatalities in Israel yet. Israel's Airports Authority issued a statement announcing the closure of the country's airspace, with incoming flights being redirected to other countries, IANS reported, citing Xinhua news agency.
Large explosions were heard across the country as a result of either the successful interceptions of some Iranian missiles or the landing of some others in Israeli territory after they bypassed Israeli air defenses, the military said.
Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said in a statement that the attacks were in "retaliation for Israel's assassinations of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and senior IRGC commander Abbas Nilforoushan, as well as its intensification of malicious acts with the US support in its offensives against Lebanese and Palestinian peoples", according to IRIB TV.
The operation was carried out following the approval of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and a directive by the General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces, with the support of the country's army and Defense Ministry, the IRGC added. It warned that if Israel retaliates by attacking Iran, it will face further "crushing and destructive" attacks.
Major developments>> Israel has declared UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres persona non grata and banned him from entering the country for his failure to "unequivocally condemn" Iran's missile attack. >> Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is hosting a call of Group of Seven leaders on the worsening of the crisis in the Middle East following Iran's attack on Israel. >> Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei released his first message after strikes against Israel in which he targeted the US and 'certain European' nations for the current situation in the region. He said that if these countries leave the region, there will be no discord |
