Iran Fires Missiles At Israel, Civilians In Bomb Shelters

Iran has fired missiles at Israel and all civilians in the country are in bomb shelters, the Israeli military said on Tuesday. The attack comes 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 Israel strikes in Beirut.  

The Israeli foreign ministry also cited the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and said at 10.08 pm IST that the missiles were fired a "short while ago". Confirming the attack, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said it was in response to the killing of Nasrallah, Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and its own senior commander Abbas Nilforoushan. News agency Reuters quoted Israeli media as saying that as many as 100 missiles had been launched.

US President Joe Biden ordered the country's military to "aid Israel's defence" and shoot down Iranian missiles targeting its ally. News agency AFP quoted a White House statement as saying Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the Democratic nominee in next month's US presidential election, are both monitoring Iran's attack on Israel from the White House situation room.

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". There have been no reports of any casualties so far. 

"Iran's attack is continuing. You are requested to remain in a protected space until further notice. The explosions you are hearing are from interceptions or fallen projectiles," the army said in a statement to Israelis, an  AFP report said. 

Air traffic was halted at Israel's Ben Gurion airport and the country closed its airspace on Tuesday and diverted flights, a spokesman from the airport authority said. The aviation authority in neighbouring Jordan also announced the suspension of air traffic.

All Israeli civilians are in bomb shelters as rockets from Iran are fired at Israel. pic.twitter.com/bKXPdqMsBr

"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," the Israeli foreign ministry's handle said in a post on X. 

"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 Rear Admiral Daniel 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 four people were killed.