Tel Aviv and other vital Israeli cities were hit in the most significant missile attack from Iran since April.
In a dramatic escalation, Iranian ballistic missiles overwhelmed Israel’s defence systems on Tuesday night, striking Tel Aviv and several other densely populated areas.
According to local reports, the attack marked Tehran’s most significant offensive against Israel since April, raising tensions in an already volatile region.
Footage aired by KANN News captured the terrifying scene as dozens of missiles rained down on Israel within seconds, triggering explosions and lighting up the night sky. Several videos circulated on social media showed missile strikes and shrapnel hitting key cities, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Impact sites were also reported in southern Israel and the Sharon region.
Tel Aviv Targeted, IDF Headquarters at Risk
Tel Aviv, home to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) headquarters and Nevatim Air Base, appeared to bear the brunt of the attack. The Israeli military reported that Iran was targeting 10 million civilians across central and southern Israel. Air raid sirens echoed through the country as the assault unfolded in waves, with a second barrage hitting Jerusalem less than 10 minutes after the initial strikes, according to ‘The Guardian’.
This assault marked the first direct attack by Iran on Israel since April 2024. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility, stating that the missile barrage was a direct response to the assassination of Hezbollah’s top officials, including leader Hassan Nasrallah. “If the Zionist regime reacts to the operation, it will face heavy attacks,” the IRGC warned.
Multiple Ballistic Missile Impacts reported to the North of Tel Aviv. pic.twitter.com/L72km2dNQ5
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 1, 2024
Iran Defends Attack Amid Rising Global Concerns
The Iranian Mission to the United Nations issued a statement defending the missile attack, claiming it was a legitimate response to Israeli airstrikes. “Iran’s legal, rational, and legitimate response to the terrorist acts of the Zionist regime has been duly carried out,” the statement read.
The attack concluded at 8:32 p.m. local time, with the IDF swiftly responding with a vow of retaliation. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesman, declared, “T his fire will have consequences. We have plans and will act in the time and place we choose.”
Casualties and Evacuations
Early reports from **Magen David Adom**, Israel’s emergency services, confirmed that at least two people were injured in the missile strikes, with shrapnel hitting civilian s in Tel Aviv. Approximately 10 million civilians live in the areas targeted by Iranian missiles, according to the IDF.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his security cabinet took shelter in a secure bunker complex just minutes before the missiles began striking. According to Israeli military reports, Iran used only ballistic missiles in this attack, which are capable of reaching Israel in just 12 minutes.
US Pledges Support, Military Assets Deployed
In response to the escalating situation, US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris convened a national security meeting, pledging support for Israel. “This morning, we discussed how the United States is prepared to help Israel defend against these attacks,” Biden wrote on **X** (formerly Twitter).
The US has since deployed additional military assets, including fighter jets, to the region. A senior official emphasised that “a direct military attack from Iran against Israel will carry severe consequences for Iran.”
Increased Military Readiness in the Region
The US and its allies are taking preemptive measures to prevent further escalations. The deployment of F-15E and F-16 fighter jets and A-10 attack aircraft has bolstered Israel’s defensive capabilities. Ballistic missiles, which fly higher and faster than conventional rockets, pose a more significant challenge to intercept. The IDF has called on Israeli civilians to adhere to safety protocols, instructing them to stay within 90 seconds of protective shelters.
In response to the growing threat, the US Embassy in Jerusalem issued a security alert advising Americans in Israel to shelter in place and warning of potential restrictions on travel to Jerusalem and the West Bank.
IDF Conducts Raids in Lebanon
As part of ongoing efforts to dismantle Hezbollah’s missile capabilities, the IDF conducted localised ground raids in southern Lebanon. These operations aim to neutralise Hezbollah’s missile launchers and weapons caches. Rear Admiral Hagari confirmed that Israeli troops are focused on areas near the border, stating, “We’re not going to Beirut. We will do what is necessary to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure.”
Israel’s ongoing operations in Lebanon, which the IDF has documented, aim to curb Hezbollah’s daily missile strikes, which have displaced thousands of residents in northern Israel since early October.
Netanyahu’s Call for Unity
Prime Minister Netanyahu urged Israeli citizens to remain united in adversity. “What I ask of you is to strictly obey the Home Front Command’s directives. It saves lives,” he said. He added, “We will stand firm together in the trying days ahead. Together, we will fight, and together, we will win.”
תיעוד די משוגע שלי של השיגורים מאיראן והיירוטים שלהם עכשיו מעל שמי תל אביב pic.twitter.com/3tCFJUmBCc
— Bar Peleg (@bar_peleg) October 1, 2024
As the situation develops, the world watches closely, with the possibility of further escalations on the horizon.
