Iran has threatened “more crushing and destructive” attacks after firing a wave of missiles at Israel.
Iran’s revolutionary guards said they fired dozens of missiles on Tuesday in retaliation for Israel’s campaign against Tehran’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon, including its killing of the group’s leader Hassan Nasrallah.
They added that if Israel retaliated, Tehran’s response would be “more crushing and destructive”, Iranian state TV reported.
Israeli media has reported that more than 100 missiles were fired as civilians took cover in bomb shelters with sirens sounding across the country. No injuries have been reported so far.
Less than an hour after the attack started, Israel’s military sounded the all-clear and said Israelis were free to leave their shelters.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who reportedly convened the Israeli security cabinet at the government bunker near Jerusalem, has since spoken to Sir Keir Starmer, Sky News has reported.
Earlier, senior US officials warned Iran was preparing to “imminently” launch a ballistic missile attack on Israel and said the US was actively supporting Israeli defensive preparations.
The attack comes less than 24 hours after Israel announced it was carrying out “targeted” raids into southern Lebanon. It is the first time Israel has invaded its northern neighbour since 2006, when the two engaged in a month-long all-out war.
At least six people killed in shooting attack in Tel Aviv, say Israeli police
At least six people were killed and nine wounded in a suspected shooting and stabbing terror attack in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, Israeli police said.
They said that two “terrorists” started a killing spree on the Tel Aviv light rail and continued on foot before being killed by civilians and inspectors using personal pistols.
The attack took place minutes before Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel.
TV footage showed gunmen getting off at a light rail station and opening fire.
Israel’s MDA ambulance service said it received a report at 7:01pm (16:01 GMT) of people injured by gunfire.
Medics and paramedics provided on-site medical treatment to a number of wounded people with varying degrees of injuries, including some who were unconscious, MDA said.
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 19:19
Israeli military orders closure of new military area in northern Israel, statement says
Israeli military ordered the closure of a new military area in the region of Dovov, Tivbon and Malkia in northern Israel, it said on Tuesday.
Entering this area is strictly prohibited, the Israeli army added in a statement.
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 19:16
UK ‘completely condemns’ Iran’s actions, says No 10 spokesperson
A No 10 spokesperson has said that “the UK completely condemns Iran’s actions”.
Political editor David Maddox1 October 2024 19:16
Starmer speaks with Netanyahu, according to reports
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the King of Jordan, Sky News has reported.
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 19:08
Iran’s state TV claims 80 per cent of missiles launched at Israel hit targets
Iran’s state TV has claimed that 80 per cent of the missiles it launched at Israel hit their targets.
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 19:06
Israeli military downs dozens of Iranian missiles flying over Syria, sources say
Israeli air defences shot down dozens of Iranian missiles that flew over Syria on Tuesday, Syrian army sources told Reuters, after Iran launched a salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel.
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 19:05
US bases would be target if US joins any response against Iran, Iraqi armed groups say
US bases in Iraq and the region will be targets if the United States joins any response to Iranian strikes on Israel or if Israel uses Iraqi airspace against Tehran, Iranian-backed Iraqi armed groups said on Tuesday.
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 19:05
Watch: Israeli military releases footage claiming to show previous ground operations in Lebanon
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 19:03
The Independent journalist with Kamala Harris when Iran launched attack
The Independent‘s head of Washington DC bureau Eric Garcia was en route to an event with Kamala Harris and a group of journalists when Iran launched their attack on Israel.
The scheduled event appears to have been delayed, and the van of journalists is currently stationed outside the West Wing. The mood is silent and tense.
Holly Baxter1 October 2024 19:02
Mapped: Israel ordered civilians to take cover in bomb shelters as Iran launches missiles
Civilians across Israel took shelter as air raid sirens sounded across the country, as Iran launched a barrage of missiles in a major escalation.
In a post on social media, the Israel Defence Forces shared a graphic showing the location of projectile targets, with the caption: “Approx. 10 million civilians are the targets of Iranian projectiles.”
My colleague Holly Evans reports:
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 18:59