Aerial defenses intercept missiles and rockets over Tel Aviv
(Video: Arnon Busani, Aviv Leshem)
Israelis were instructed to seek immediate shelter on Tuesday as Iran launched a widespread missile strike on the country, while Hezbollah simultaneously fired rockets into vast areas of Israel. The attack prompted the suspension of all flights at Ben Gurion Airport.
In the assault, a rocket reportedly struck a building in northern Tel Aviv. A second, larger wave of missiles followed approximately 15 minutes after the initial barrage.
interceptions in Israel
(Video: Tal Shahar)
Shortly after the missile strikes, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard released a statement claiming the attack was in retaliation for the "martyrdom" of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iranian Quds Force commander in Lebanon Abbas Nilforoushan. The statement warned that "if the Zionist regime responds to the Iranian attack, it will face violent assaults."
The White House National Security Council said that President Joe Biden has directed the U.S. military to aid Israel's defense against the Iranian attack and shoot down missiles targeting Israel.
Biden and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris are monitoring the attack from the White House situation room and receiving regular updates, NSC spokesperson Sean Savett said in a post on X.
U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that Iran's attack on Israel appeared to have been defeated, although President Biden's administration was still monitoring a "fluid" situation.
Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: