Jerusalem: The Israeli Army on Tuesday said Iran has fired missiles on Israel, hours after the US warned of an 'imminent attack' days after a series of attacks by Israel that killed more than 1,000 people in Lebanon and senior leadership of Hezbollah militant group, including its head Hassan Nasrallah. The Israeli Army said Iran had launched nearly 200 missiles targeting approximately 10 million civilians.
Residents were ordered to shelter in place and remain close to bomb shelters before the arrival of Iranian missiles. Israeli military spokesman said very few injuries after the Iranian missile strike and that the public can exit bomb shelters.
Israel's Air Forces have claimed to have shot down several of the missiles fired by Tehran as it marked yet another escalation of the conflict in the region that raised the prospects of an all-out war. The orders to shelter in place were sent to Israelis' mobile phones and announced on national television. TV stations reported sirens in parts of Jerusalem as well as central Israel.
Netanyahu takes shelter as Iran launches barrage of missiles
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly entered a shelter and is receiving updates from there. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin earlier spoke to his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant where they discussed the severe consequences for Iran in the event Iran chooses to launch a direct military attack against Israel. The Israeli airspace has been closed following the attack, with Jordan and Iraq following suit.
"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.
Iran issues statement after attacking Israel
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in a statement that the missile launches were in retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Lebanon chief Hassan Nasrallah and other key members of the Iran-backed proxies in the Middle East. They further warned that if Israel retaliated Tehran's response would be "more crushing and ruinous", according to Iranian media.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gave the order to launch missiles at Israel, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday, adding that Tehran "is fully ready for any retaliation".
US warned about possible Iranian attack
A US official warned of “severe consequences” should Iran launch a ballistic missile against Israel. US ships and aircraft are positioned in the region to assist Israel in the event of an attack from Iran, which a second official said could happen tonight. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence.
"This morning, @VP and I convened our national security team to discuss Iranian plans to launch an imminent missile attack against Israel. We discussed how the United States is prepared to help Israel defend against these attacks, and protect American personnel in the region," said US President Joe Biden.
Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari also warned of consequences if Iran fired missiles into Israel. Iran's state media has not suggested an attack is imminent, and Iranian officials could not be immediately reached for comment. White House officials did not immediately offer any evidence backing the intelligence finding.
Why would Iran attack Israel?
The firing of missiles came after Israeli troops launched ground raids into Lebanon, in the biggest escalation of regional warfare since fighting erupted in Gaza a year ago. Israel's apparent ground raids in Lebanon follow its deadly detonation of booby-trapped Hezbollah pagers, two weeks of airstrikes, and then its killing on Friday of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, one of the heaviest blows in decades to the group.
The intensive air strikes have eliminated several Hezbollah commanders but also killed about 1,000 civilians and forced one million to flee their homes, according to the Lebanese government. Iran has vowed to retaliate following attacks that killed the top leadership of its Hezbollah allies in Lebanon.
Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire pounded southern Lebanese villages where people were ordered to evacuate, and Hezbollah militants responded by firing a barrage of rockets into Israel. There was no immediate word on casualties as fighting intensified and concerns of a wider regional war grew.
ALSO READ | India issues advisory for Indian nationals in Israel as it braces for possible attack from Iran
ALSO READ | Mass shooting takes place in Israel's Tel Aviv, eight people killed in 'terror attack'
