Agencies
Tel Aviv/Beirut
Iran on Tuesday said it fired missiles towards Israel, as loud explosions were reported in Tel Aviv.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) - the elite branch of the Iranian military - said it had launched the strikes on military targets, warning of “devastating and destructive attacks” if Israel responds.
Iranian television said the latest attack came in response to the killings of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and the head of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah.
“All Israeli civilians are in bomb shelters as rockets from Iran are fired at Israel,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) wrote on the social media platform X, as sirens sounded across the country. The orange glow of missiles streaked across Israel’s night sky as air raid sirens sounded across the country and millions of residents scrambled into bomb shelters. The attack raised the strong likelihood of an Israeli reprisal.
Before Iran’s attack, Israel had landed a series of devastating blows in recent weeks against Hezbollah’s leadership in Lebanon. It then ratcheted up the pressure on the group — which has been firing rockets into Israel since the war in Gaza began — by launching what it said is a limited ground incursion in southern Lebanon.
US President Joe Biden has directed the US military to “aid Israel’s defense against Iranian attacks,” the White House said on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, celebrations were heard in the Lebanese capital Beirut on Tuesday as Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel. According to eyewitnesses, celebratory gunfire rang out in the suburb of Haret Hreik, where Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed last week.
Clapping and cheering echoed in the centre of Beirut, where numerous families have been displaced in the wake of Israel’s massive aerial campaign on targets across Lebanon. Many are currently seeking shelter on the streets and in public spaces.
