Eight people were killed and nine others wounded in a shooting attack in the city of Jaffa, central Israel, on Tuesday, emergency services confirmed. Among the wounded, four are reported to be in serious condition.
According to Israeli police, two gunmen opened fire at the light rail station on Jerusalem Boulevard. The attackers were neutralised by a passerby and a security guard. Large contingents of police and Israel Defence Forces (IDF) anti-terror units are currently scanning the area to ensure there are no further threats, reported Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
"I saw a terrorist shoot a girl who was on the floor and another girl, then I saw the terrorist shoot a man on a bicycle who fell to the floor, but I don't think he wasn't hurt. At that moment a civilian arrived with a gun and shot the terrorist," an eyewitness told Haaretz.
Gunshots could be heard in purported visuals of the shooting attack that surfaced on social media.
Meanwhile, Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israel's recent strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon, which resulted in the deaths of top Hezbollah leaders, including Hassan Nasrallah, a significant figure in Iran's network of regional fighters.
No More Missile Threats From Iran: IDF Chief After 200 Missiles Fired At Israel
The Times of Israel reported that IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said there were no additional missile threats from Iran at present. "During the defence, we carried out quite a few interceptions. There are some impacts in the centre and areas in the south of the country," he noted, adding that assessments are ongoing, but there have been no reported casualties.
Residents in Israel were instructed to leave bomb shelters after an hour of missile attacks. Hagari emphasised that the missile threat appears to be over for now.
US President Joe Biden has ordered the US military to assist Israel in its defence against Iranian missile attacks and shoot down missiles targeting Israel, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre informed.
In a call before the missile launch, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant that Washington had "increased force readiness" in the region, anticipating the Iranian attack. According to a Pentagon statement, Austin also warned of "severe consequences" for Iran if it launched a direct military strike on Israel.
Reuters citing Israeli army radio reported that nearly 200 missiles were launched at Israel, triggering alarms across the country and causing explosions in Jerusalem and the Jordan River Valley. On live broadcasts, reporters were seen taking cover. Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed the launch of several missiles, threatening a "more crushing and ruinous" response if Israel retaliated.
A senior Iranian official informed Reuters that the missile launch order came directly from Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who remains in a secure location. The April round of Iranian missiles was intercepted with the assistance of the US military, and Israel responded with airstrikes, avoiding further escalation.
The current wave of Iranian missile strikes comes in response to Israeli operations that targeted Hezbollah leadership in Lebanon.