Iran has launched a series of missiles at Israel as air raid sirens have sounded across the country and Israelis pile into bomb shelters.
Iran’s revolutionary guards said they fired dozens of missiles into Israel on Tuesday in retaliation for Israel’s campaign against Tehran’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon, including its killing of the group’s leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Israeli media reported that Iran launched more than 100 missiles at Israel and the Israeli military said around 10 million civilians are the targets of the Iranian projectiles as explosions could be heard in Jerusalem and the Jordan River valley.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly convened the Israeli security cabinet at the government bunker near Jerusalem.
Earlier, senior US officials warned Iran was preparing to “imminently” launch a ballistic missile attack on Israel and said the US was actively supporting Israeli defensive preparations.
Iran vowed last week that what it calls Israel’s “criminal acts”, referring to widespread bombing of Lebanon, Syria and Yemen, will not go unanswered.
It comes as witnesses reported more airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, where Hezbollah forces are believed to be stationed.
The Lebanese state-run National News Agency confirmed reports of multiple strikes in Beirut. Independent reporters on the ground also backed the reports.
In the early hours of Tuesday, Israel announced it was carrying out “targeted” raids into southern Lebanon.
It is the first time Israel has invaded its northern neighbour since 2006, when the two engaged in a month-long all-out war.
Starmer speaks with Netanyahu, according to reports
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the King of Jordan, Sky News has reported.
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 19:08
Iran’s state TV claims 80 per cent of missiles launched at Israel hit targets
Iran’s state TV has claimed that 80 per cent of the missiles it launched at Israel hit their targets.
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 19:06
Israeli military downs dozens of Iranian missiles flying over Syria, sources say
Israeli air defences shot down dozens of Iranian missiles that flew over Syria on Tuesday, Syrian army sources told Reuters, after Iran launched a salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel.
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 19:05
US bases would be target if US joins any response against Iran, Iraqi armed groups say
US bases in Iraq and the region will be targets if the United States joins any response to Iranian strikes on Israel or if Israel uses Iraqi airspace against Tehran, Iranian-backed Iraqi armed groups said on Tuesday.
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 19:05
Watch: Israeli military releases footage claiming to show previous ground operations in Lebanon
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 19:03
The Independent journalist with Kamala Harris when Iran launched attack
The Independent‘s head of Washington DC bureau Eric Garcia was en route to an event with Kamala Harris and a group of journalists when Iran launched their attack on Israel.
The scheduled event appears to have been delayed, and the van of journalists is currently stationed outside the West Wing. The mood is silent and tense.
Holly Baxter1 October 2024 19:02
Mapped: Israel ordered civilians to take cover in bomb shelters as Iran launches missiles
Civilians across Israel took shelter as air raid sirens sounded across the country, as Iran launched a barrage of missiles in a major escalation.
In a post on social media, the Israel Defence Forces shared a graphic showing the location of projectile targets, with the caption: “Approx. 10 million civilians are the targets of Iranian projectiles.”
My colleague Holly Evans reports:
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 18:59
Former British foreign secretary Cleverly calls for UK to defend Israel
Former British foreign secretary James Cleverly has called for the UK to “stand with Israel” to defend the country from attacks.
In a post on X following Iran’s missile attack on Israel on Tuesday, the shadow home secretary said: “What we are seeing this evening in Israel is an attack on an ally. It is being attacked by a country that wants to wipe it off the map.
“In April, the UK and its allies defended Israel. The UK Government must do the same now. We must stand with Israel.”
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 18:59
Lebanon’s airspace closed for two hours, transport minister says
Lebanon’s airspace will be closed to air traffic for a two-hour period on Tuesday, Transport Minister Ali Hamie said on X.
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 18:56
Israel military warns Iran attack will have consequences
Iran’s missile attack on Tuesday was serious and will have consequences, Israel‘s military spokesman said, declining to specify how and when Israel would respond.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said he was not aware of any casualties from the missile volley. He said there were a few hits in the centre of the country and in the south.
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 18:55
