Tehran: Iran fired salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation to latter’s campaign against Tehran’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon and killing of its chief and that of Hamas.

Alarms sounded across Israel and explosions could be heard in Jerusalem and Jordan River valley after Israelis piled into bomb shelters. Reporters on state television lay flat on ground during live broadcasts.

Reuters journalists saw missiles intercepted in airspace of neighbouring Jordan. Israeli media reports said as many as 100 missiles had been launched.

After about an hour, military announced there was no longer threat and “It was decided that it is now permitted to leave protected spaces in all areas across country”, with a “Large number” of Iranian missiles intercepted. Reports said between 150 and 200 missiles had been fired in attack.

“Currently, there are no reports of injuries from fire towards Israel, except for two light injuries from shrapnel in Tel Aviv area and some minor injuries nationwide while moving to safe spaces,” Magen David Adom emergency service statement said.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said missile attack was in response to killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah last week as well as that of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Guards threatened to carry out “Crushing attacks” against regional Israel if it retaliated after missile attack. “If Zionist regime reacts to Iranian operations, it will face crushing attacks,” Guard said.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gave the order to launch missiles at Israel, senior Iranian official told Reuters, adding that Tehran “Is fully ready for any retaliation”

Iran’s mission to United Nations in New York posted on X that attack on Israel is “Legal, rational and legitimate response to terrorist acts.”

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 02 2024

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.