IRAN has launched missiles at Israel, the Israeli military has said.
Earlier on Tuesday, a senior US administration official said that Iran was preparing to “imminently” launch a ballistic missile attack on Israel, warning of “severe consequences” should the attack take place.
The Guardian is reporting that a second wave of missiles has been reported flying above Jerusalem, where the media outlet has reporters covering the news.
The attack comes after the Israeli military warned people on Tuesday to evacuate nearly two dozen Lebanese border communities hours after announcing what it said were limited ground operations against militant group Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran.
Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire pounded Lebanese villages where people were ordered to evacuate, and Hezbollah militants responded by firing a barrage of rockets into Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shared on social media that “all Israeli civilians are in bomb shelters” as the rockets fired from Iran.
All Israeli civilians are in bomb shelters as rockets from Iran are fired at Israel. pic.twitter.com/bKXPdqMsBr
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 1, 2024
Israeli TV stations reported air raid sirens sounded in parts of Jerusalem as well as central Israel.
There was no immediate word on casualties as fighting intensified and concerns of a wider regional war grew.
Iranian officials could not be immediately reached for comment.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran "made a big mistake tonight, and will pay for it".
Speaking at the opening of a cabinet meeting, the Israeli PM added Iran "does not understand" his country's "determination to retaliate" against its enemies.
"We will stand by the rule we established: whoever attacks us - we will attack them," he said.
Keir Starmer said Britain stands with Israel and supports the “reasonable demand for the security of its people” after an attack on the country by Iran.
The UK Prime Minister said he was “deeply concerned that the region is on the brink” and once again urged British nationals in Lebanon to leave.
In the statement from Downing Street on Tuesday evening, Starmer said Tehran has “menaced the Middle East for far too long” and called on the country to “stop these attacks”.
Meanwhile, Reuters reported a shooting attack took place in Tel Aviv – Israel's commercial capital – on Tuesday evening.
Israeli police have said six people were killed in the attack in Tel Aviv.
As the fighting intensifies, European countries have begun pulling their diplomats and citizens out of Lebanon.
We previously told how the UK's Foreign Office was panned for its "disgusting" efforts to evacuate citizens from Lebanon.
