Israel reports that Iran has launched over 180 missiles in a significant assault, raising concerns about a potential regional war.
As explosions illuminated the night sky over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, millions sought refuge in shelters. According to Palestinian officials, a man died from missile debris in Jericho, located in the occupied West Bank.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Iran has made a “big mistake” and will face consequences.
Iranian state television claims that 200 missiles were fired at Israel, including hypersonic weapons. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that the attacks were in response to the deaths of leaders from its allied groups, Hezbollah and Hamas.
Shortly after the extensive missile attack on Tuesday evening local time, Israel’s military launched air strikes against what it identified as Hezbollah targets in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon.
US President Joe Biden remarked that the Iranian missile assault seemed to have been “defeated and ineffective.” The US Department of Defense confirmed that its forces assisted in intercepting missiles to support its ally in the Middle East.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that most of the missiles were “intercepted by Israel and a defensive coalition led by the United States.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned what he described as the “broadening conflict in the Middle East,” emphasizing, “This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire.”
Support for Israel has come from allies such as Britain, France, Japan, and Australia, with UK Defence Secretary John Healey stating that the armed forces “had played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.”
The missile attack occurred just hours after Israeli troops initiated an invasion of southern Lebanon to target what the military described as “Hezbollah terror targets” in border villages that were threatening residents of northern Israel.
Israel has taken an aggressive stance against the Iran-backed Shia Islamist political and military group following nearly a year of cross-border conflicts that were ignited by the war with Hamas in Gaza. The goal is to ensure the safe return of residents in border areas who have been displaced due to Hezbollah’s rocket, drone, and missile attacks.
