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In a sharp escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, Iran launched a massive missile attack on Israel on Tuesday, with the Israeli military saying around 180 projectiles were fired. The attack came amid Israel's ground offensive in Lebanon to target Hezbollah and days after the militant outfit's commander Hassan Nasrallah and a top official from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were killed in Israeli strikes in Beirut.
The Israeli foreign ministry said at 10.08 pm IST that the missiles were fired a "short while ago". An hour later, around 11.10 pm, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said there was no more threat from Iran "for now" and civilians could leave bomb shelters, adding that there were a few "hits" during the barrage.
Confirming the attack, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it was in response to the killing of Nasrallah, Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and its own senior commander Abbas Nilforoushan.
The Revolutionary Guards also threatened to carry out "crushing attacks" against Israel if it retaliated after the attack. "If the Zionist regime reacts to Iranian operations, it will face crushing attacks," it said in a statement carried by Iranian news agency Fars, according to news agency AFP. The Revolutionary Guards claimed the attacks were "in accordance with the United Nations Charter" and came "after a period of restraint".
Iran-backed Iraqi armed groups said US bases in Iraq and the region would be targeted if the United States joined any response to Iranian strikes on Israel or if Israel used Iraqi airspace against Tehran, news agency Reuters reported. Hamas praised the attacks as "heroic" and celebrations were reported in Beirut.
'Will Have Consequences'
Israel vowed to retaliate to the Iranian attack, with IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari saying the country would respond at a time and place of its choosing.
"This attack will have consequences. We have plans, and we will operate at the place and time we decide," he said.
While the attack was taking place, US President Joe Biden ordered the country's military to "aid Israel's defence" and shoot down Iranian missiles targeting its ally. A White House statement said Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the Democratic nominee in next month's US presidential election, were both monitoring Iran's attack on Israel from the White House situation room, AFP reported. The agency said some missiles had also been intercepted by neighbouring Jordan.
Videos showed debris from missiles intercepted by Israel's famed Iron Dome and Arrow defence systems raining down on Tel Aviv. The Israeli Defence Forces also confirmed that blasts had been heard in "Jerusalem and elsewhere".
"Currently, there are no reports of injuries from the fire towards Israel, except for two light injuries from shrapnel in the Tel Aviv area and some minor injuries nationwide while moving to safe spaces," a statement from Israeli emergency services said. A local governor in the West Bank said a Palestinian had been killed after being hit by shrapnel from an Iranian missile.
Air traffic was halted at Israel's Ben Gurion airport and the country closed its airspace and diverted flights, a spokesman from the airport authority said. The aviation authorities in Jordan and Iraq also announced the suspension of air traffic while Iran suspended flights at Tehran International Airport.
'Remain Alert'
As the attack began, the Israeli foreign ministry's handle said in a post on X, "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," it said.
IDF Spokesperson Hagari asked citizens to remain vigilant and asked them to enter a protected space as soon as they heard a siren and remain there until they got further instructions.
"The air defense system is fully operational, detecting and intercepting threats wherever necessary, even at this moment. However, the defense is not hermetic, and therefore it is essential to follow the Home Front Command's instructions. You may hear explosions, which could be the result of interceptions or impacts," he said in a statement.
"The IDF is doing and will continue to do everything necessary to protect the civilians of Israel. The IDF is fully prepared for both defense and offense at peak readiness," he added.
The news of the missiles being launched came shortly after reports of a suspected "terror" shooting in Israel's commercial capital Tel Aviv. Police in the city said at least six people were killed.
Broadening Conflict
After Iran's attack, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the "broadening conflict in the Middle East".
Expressing concern over "escalation after escalation" in the region, Mr Guterres said: "This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire."
Iran had also launched missiles and drones at Israel on 13 April in retaliation for the Israeli bombing of its embassy in Damascus, in which two Iranian generals were killed. The projectiles were shot down by Israeli, American, British, French and Jordanian air forces. The strike did not cause much damage and, the next day, Iran said the attacks could be "deemed concluded".
