This is the second attack by Iran this year, after it fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel in April.
Tel Aviv, Oct. 1 (DPnet).– Iran launched around 180 missiles towards Israel, the Israeli military said. "A short time ago, missiles were launched from Iran towards the State of Israel," Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari said in a statement early this Tuesday. "You are asked to remain vigilant and follow the Home Front Command's instructions precisely," warned the Israeli population. This attack is slightly larger than April's barrage, which saw about 110 ballistic missiles and 30 cruise missiles fired toward Israel.
Footage carried by Israeli TV appeared to show some missiles flying over the Tel Aviv area shortly before 19:45 local time (17:45 BST).
Military officials have confirmed that some hits were recorded during the attack. A military spokesperson said Israel recorded "a few hits in the center and other areas in the south of the country". Ballistic missiles can reach Israel within 12 minutes, while drones and cruise missiles leave more time to defend against.
The attack was later confirmed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which said "dozens of ballistic missiles targeting important military and security targets" were launched in "self-defense" over the killing of Hamas Political Bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July and in response to "the intensification of the regime's evils with the support of the United States" over attacks in Gaza and Lebanon.
"Should the Zionist regime dare to respond or commit further acts of malevolence, a subsequent and crushing response will ensue," the Iranian Mission to the United Nations said in a statement.
President Biden and national security adviser Jake Sullivan both described Iran's attack as "defeated and ineffective" and said the U.S. stands with Israel.