Iran fires ballistic missiles at Israel

The Israeli military confirmed on Tuesday that missiles had been launched from Iran towards Israel, prompting the country’s Home Front Command to issue life-saving guidelines for residents across multiple regions.

Dozens of explosions boomed across Jerusalem on Tuesday night as air raid sirens rang out, AFP journalists reported.

“A short while ago, missiles were launched from Iran towards the State of Israel,” the military said in a statement. It said sirens were sounded across Israel, including in Jerusalem.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they launched tens of missiles toward Israel and warned that if Israel retaliated Tehran’s response would be “more crushing and ruinous”, Iranian state TV reported.

Earlier, Israel had warned of a potential widespread missile attack from Iran following ground raids by Israeli forces into Lebanon and aerial bombardments targeting Hezbollah positions. This marks Israel’s first ground campaign in Lebanon in 18 years, setting the stage for direct conflict with Hezbollah, Iran’s most powerful proxy in the Middle East.

“This is the most significant escalation since last year’s Gaza conflict,” said Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, Israel’s military spokesman. He added that Iran’s missile strikes are expected to be on a large scale. “We urge everyone to heed the warnings and take shelter immediately.”

The Israeli airstrikes over recent weeks have targeted Hezbollah’s leadership, reportedly killing many top commanders. More than a thousand Lebanese civilians have been killed, with over a million displaced from their homes.