Iran Launches Over 200 Ballistic Missiles At Israel, Civilians Urged To Take Shelter As Air Sirens Sound Across Country
Air raid sirens were sounded across Israel as Iran launched a barrage of missiles in the country. Israel has urged residents to remain close to bomb shelters.
The Israeli military said on Tuesday that Iran fired dozens of missiles into Israel, setting off air raid sirens across the country. Israeli civilians were ordered to remain close to bomb shelters as missiles were fired. There have been no reports of any casualties so far.
However, two people were injured from falling shrapnel in the Tel Aviv area, according to Israel’s emergency service. Few other people sustained minor injuries in other places, Al Jazeera reported.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has ordered US military to shoot down Iranian missiles. The statement was issued by the White House shortly after Iran fired missiles. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Iran fired around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel.
The country's airspace has been closed and the incoming flights are being diverted to airports outside the country.
Israel has promised of "consequences", hinting that the country has plans to retaliate in response to the missile attack carried out by Iran. "This attack will have consequences," Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a statement, as reported by CNN.
"We have plans, and we will operate at the place and time we decide," he stated.
The Israeli military spokesperson also said that although Iranian missiles fired at Israel were intercepted, there were places were direct impact was made in central and southern Israel. "There are a few impacts in the center and some more in the south. At this stage, we are assessing the situation. We are not aware of injuries," Daniel Hagari said.
Earlier today, a senior US administration official had revealed that Iran was preparing to "immediately" launch a ballistic missile attack on Israel. The official also warned of "severe consequences" in case Iran attacked Israel.
The attack comes amid the sudden escalation in the regional warfare following Israel's ground raids into Lebanon and the offensive in Beirut that killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and another top official Nabil Kaouk.
BREAKING:
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 1, 2024
Picture of ballistic missiles launched toward Israel from Isfahan, Iran pic.twitter.com/gm2ScI5xL3
The Israel Defence Force stated in a post on X that Iran targeted approximately ten million civilians in the missile attack.
Approx. 10 million civilians are the targets of Iranian projectiles. pic.twitter.com/680uDJm3CJ
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 1, 2024
"A short while ago, missiles were launched from Iran towards the State of Israel. Israelis 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 IDF is doing and will do everything necessary to protect the civilians of the State of Israel," the Israeli Foreign Ministry stated in an official statement.
Israel Urges Citizens To Take Shelter
Israel has requested citizens to take shelter and stay in a safe place until further notice is issued.
"Iran's attack is continuing. You are requested to remain in a protected space until further notice. The explosions you are hearing are from interceptions or fallen projectiles," the army said in a statement to Israelis, a report by news agency AFP said.
An Indian taking shelter in Tel Aviv amid the attack said: "I am in Tel Aviv. Iran just now started attacking. We are now in the safety room. Everyone is safe."
VIDEO | “I am in Tel Aviv. Iran just now started attacking. We are now in the safety room. Everyone is safe,” says an Indian civilian inside a shelter in Tel Aviv, Israel.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 1, 2024
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/dh8z4wRGma
IDF also shared a video clip wherein a barrage of missiles can be seen over Jerusalem.
RAW FOOTAGE: Watch as Iranian missiles rain over the Old City in Jerusalem, a holy site for Muslims, Christians and Jews.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 1, 2024
This is the target of the Iranian regime: everyone. pic.twitter.com/rIqUZWN3zy
Iran Says Missiles Fired In Response To Hezbollah, Hamas Leaders' Killing
Iran took responsibility for launching ballistic missiles at Israel. It made the claim in a statement that was read aloud on state television as explosions could be heard in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Associated Press reported.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards stated that the missile attack was in response to the killing of Hassan Nasrallah as well as Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed earlier this year, Iran's Fars news agency reported.
“In response to the martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh, Hassan Nasrallah and [IRGC Guards commander] Nilforoshan, we targeted the heart of the occupied territories,” the IRGC said in a statement.
'Iran's Rational Response To Zionist Regime Has Been Duly Carried Out': Iranian Mission To UN
After Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel, the Iranian Mission to the United Nations said on Tuesday afternoon that the country's response has been "duly carried out".
"Iran’s legal, rational, and legitimate response to the terrorist acts of the Zionist regime—which involved targeting Iranian nationals and interests and infringing upon the national sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran—has been duly carried out," the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations said in a post on X.
Iran’s legal, rational, and legitimate response to the terrorist acts of the Zionist regime—which involved targeting Iranian nationals and interests and infringing upon the national sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran—has been duly carried out. Should the Zionist regime…
— I.R.IRAN Mission to UN, NY (@Iran_UN) October 1, 2024
UN Chief Condemns 'Escalation' Of Conflict
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the escalation of the Middle East conflict and called for a ceasefire again.
"I condemn the broadening of the Middle East conflict with escalation after escalation. This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire," he wrote in a post on X.
I condemn the broadening of the Middle East conflict with escalation after escalation.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) October 1, 2024
This must stop.
We absolutely need a ceasefire.
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