The swift and intense assault, which concluded shortly after it commenced on Tuesday evening, marked a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran. This sudden uptick in hostilities can destabilize the region further, pushing the long-standing conflict to a more dangerous threshold.
How Many Missiles Hit Israel?
On Tuesday evening, Iran launched multiple waves of ballistic missiles at Israel, a sudden and intense assault that left the nation defending itself on three fronts, significantly heightening the risk of a broader conflict between two of the Middle East’s most formidable military forces.
The attack capped a whirlwind 24 hours that began with Israel launching an invasion into Lebanon to target Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia. Throughout Tuesday, Israel bombarded Lebanon from the air as its ground forces advanced, while Hezbollah retaliated by firing rockets deep into Israeli territory.
The Israeli military reported that Iran fired approximately 200 ballistic missiles during the assault, marking one of the largest barrages of its kind. Millions of Israelis sought refuge in bomb shelters for over an hour as the air defense system intercepted many of the missiles. However, some projectiles landed in central and southern parts of the country, intensifying concerns of a potential all-out war.
There were no immediate reports of casualties in Israel following the missile barrage, though a Palestinian man in the occupied West Bank was killed by falling shrapnel.
The region was left on edge, anxiously awaiting Israel’s response. As Israel’s top military commanders convened to evaluate the situation, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesman, stated that Israel would retaliate “in a way and at a time of its choosing.” Meanwhile, Iran warned it would launch additional missiles if Israel counterattacked.
Iranian ballistic missile impacts in Israel.
— Global: Military-Info (@Global_Mil_Info) October 1, 2024
It seems that they are striking numerous targets. pic.twitter.com/7XFNk008Pk
A senior White House official affirmed that the United States would assist in defending Israel, cautioning that any direct attack on Israel would result in “severe consequences for Iran.”
During the attack, air raid sirens blared across Israel, including in major cities like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The sky was illuminated with loud, booming explosions as Israel’s interceptor rockets raced across the night sky, clashing with dozens of incoming missiles.
Additional Footage of Iranian Ballistic Missile Impacts in Israel. pic.twitter.com/IcXBtauk4Q
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 1, 2024
This assault occurred as Israel was already engaged in battles on multiple fronts, including ongoing operations against Hamas, another Iranian proxy in Gaza, and conducting raids on Palestinian cities within the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The escalation has intensified tensions across the region, leaving the outcome uncertain.
