'400 Ballistic Missiles' Fired On Israel As Iran Launches Attack, Viral Videos Show Projectiles In Sky | WATCH

Projectiles can be seen above Jerusalem, Israel, on October 1. (Image: Menahem Kahana/AFP)

Civilians took refuge in bomb shelters as missiles rained across Israel, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The Israel Defense Forces issued warnings for people to "remain alert and precisely follow the Home Front Command's instructions"

Sirens rang out across Israel and civilians retreated into bomb shelters as Iran fired at least “400 ballistic missiles and drones” late on Tuesday. The Israeli military confirmed the massive attack, even as explosions were heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

“A short while ago, missiles were launched from Iran towards the State of Israel,” the military said in a statement.

Iran’s official news agency IRNA said it had launched “a missile attack on Tel Aviv”, which is Israel’s commercial hub. Videos went viral, showing projectiles in the sky over the two major cities.

All Israeli civilians took refuge in bomb shelters as missiles rained across Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued warnings for people to “remain alert and precisely follow the Home Front Command’s instructions”.

“In the last few minutes, the Home Front Command has distributed life-saving instructions in various areas across the country. The public is asked to adhere to the Home Front Command’s guidelines. Upon hearing a siren, you must enter a protected space and remain there until further notice. The IDF is doing and will do everything necessary to protect the civilians of the State of Israel,” it said.

This is the latest escalation after Israeli raids against Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps said the attack was in response to Israel’s killing of Hassan Nasrallah last week as well as the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in a Tehran bombing widely blamed on Israel.

Israeli airspace was closed with all flights diverted, a spokesperson for the airport authority said. Iraq and Jordan, which lie between between Iran and Israel, also closed their airspace.

According to a report published by AFP, as the missiles made their way to Israel from the east, blasts were heard over the Jordanian capital Amman, as Israel’s allies moved to intercept them.

Iran has said Nasrallah’s killing will bring about Israel’s “destruction”, though the foreign ministry on Monday (September 30) said Tehran will not deploy any troops to confront Israel.