On Tuesday, Iran launched a series of missile strikes on Israel in retaliation for the recent assassinations of Iran-backed militant leaders. This assault forced Israelis into shelters and heightened concerns throughout the region.
The Israeli military confirmed the missile launches, stating, “Missiles were launched from Iran towards the State of Israel,” as air raid sirens blared across the country. Roughly an hour later, authorities declared the threat neutralized, allowing civilians to leave protected areas after successfully intercepting a significant number of missiles. Reports suggest between 150 and 200 missiles were fired.
This marks Iran’s second direct strike on Israel, following a missile and drone attack in April, which was in response to an Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. AFP correspondents reported explosions over Jerusalem, while two individuals in central Israel sustained minor injuries from shrapnel.
Iran’s official news agency, IRNA, confirmed a missile attack on Tel Aviv, attributing the strikes to the deaths of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Nasrallah was killed by Israel last week, and Haniyeh’s death occurred in a Tehran bombing, widely attributed to Israeli involvement.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the escalating conflict, urging for an immediate ceasefire. Airspace closures were enforced in Israel, Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan, as the missiles, fired from Iran, crossed through the region. Jordan’s military claimed its air defenses intercepted missiles and drones, while the U.S. ordered its military to support Israel by shooting down incoming missiles.
On the same day, the Israeli military launched targeted ground raids in southern Lebanon, escalating a conflict that began with airstrikes killing hundreds, including Nasrallah. Iran warned that Nasrallah’s killing would lead to Israel’s destruction, although Tehran clarified it would not send troops.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah launched attacks on Israeli targets, and a suspected shooting in Tel Aviv killed at least four people. International leaders, including those from China and Russia, called for de-escalation, with U.S. President Joe Biden advocating for a ceasefire.
Lebanese officials estimate that over 1,000 people have been killed since mid-September, with hundreds of thousands displaced. In Gaza, ongoing Israeli strikes have claimed thousands of civilian lives, with both sides facing international pressure to halt the violence.