1 month ago
Last Updated: October 02, 2024, 09:52 IST
Tehran, Iran
Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets after Iran fired a salvo of ballistic missiles, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, October 1, 2024 (Reuters)
Iran declares its missile attack on Israel is over unless provoked, as U.S. and Israel promise retaliation. Fears of a wider war escalate
Israel’s state-of-the-art missile defences were activated on Tuesday to face a salvo of Iranian ballistic missiles fired in retaliation for the country’s military campaign against Tehran’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon. Iran’s forces claimed to achieve 90% accuracy in hitting their targets after they used hypersonic Fattah missiles for the first time.
Blasts rattled Jerusalem and the Jordan River valley as the entire population was told to move into bomb shelters. This unprecedented attack resulted in 1,800 rocket sirens sounding across the country. Iran’s assault marked its largest military strike against its arch-enemy, with some Israeli media reporting that residents said glass was shattered “in almost all the apartments.”
Missiles intercepted ‘by Israel, its coalition’
One man was killed in the West Bank and several casualties were reported in Jordan. In Israel, only two people were reported wounded in the barrage, both in Tel Aviv. Some others were treated for minor injuries after falling over while running for shelter, and acute anxiety, The Times Of Israel reported.
US-based outlet PBS reported that Iranian ballistic missiles created huge craters near the Israeli spy agency Mossad. Iran described the campaign as defensive and its state news agency said three Israeli military bases had been targeted. Tehran said its assault was a response to Israeli killings of militant leaders and aggression in Lebanon against Hezbollah and in Gaza.
Israel activated air defences against Iran’s bombardment and most missiles were intercepted “by Israel and a defensive coalition led by the United States,” Israeli Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a video on X, adding: “Iran’s attack is a severe and dangerous escalation.” Israel’s Hagari said central and southern Israel received limited strikes.
A video released by the military showed a school in the central city of Gadera heavily damaged by an Iranian missile. Meanwhile, the Pentagon said that US Navy warships fired about a dozen interceptors against Iranian missiles headed toward Israel. Britain said its forces played a part “in attempts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.”
Israel Deployed New Missile Alert System
On Tuesday, Israel deployed its new “Personal Message” missile alert system for the first time after Iran fired an unprecedented missile barrage. The system introduced in August, sent emergency messages directly to mobile phones in targeted areas without requiring users to download an app or register, according to the Jerusalem Post.
The system became operational during the massive missile attack from Iran, which saw over 200 missiles launched toward Israel, the newspaper said. It uses Cell Broadcast technology, a long-established method that transmits messages via cellular antennas, similar to how FM radio works.
Barrage Of Missile
Iran said its missile attack on Israel was over barring further provocation, while Israel and the US promised to retaliate against Tehran as fears of a wider war intensified. Washington said it would work with longtime ally Israel to make sure Iran faced “severe consequences” for Tuesday’s attack, which Israel said involved more than 180 ballistic missiles.
The United Nations Security Council scheduled a meeting about the Middle East for Wednesday, and the European Union called for an immediate ceasefire. “Our action is concluded unless the Israeli regime decides to invite further retaliation. In that scenario, our response will be stronger and more powerful,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a post on X early on Wednesday.
Israel renewed its bombardment early on Wednesday of Beirut’s southern suburbs, a stronghold of the Iran-backed armed Hezbollah group, with at least a dozen airstrikes against what it said were targets belonging the group. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to hit back.
‘Iran made a big mistake tonight’
“Iran made a big mistake tonight – and it will pay for it,” he said at the outset of an emergency political security cabinet meeting late on Tuesday, according to a statement. Iran’s General Staff of the Armed Forces said in a statement carried by state media that any Israeli response would be met with “vast destruction” of Israeli infrastructure.
It also said it would target regional assets of any Israeli ally that got involved. Fears that Iran and the U.S. could be drawn into a regional war have risen with Israel’s growing assault on Lebanon in the past two weeks, including the start of a ground operation there on Monday, and its year-old conflict in the Gaza Strip.
(With agency inputs)
