JERUSALEM (AP) — Iran said it launched dozens of missiles against Israel on Tuesday, in a significant escalation of the conflict that has been ongoing for months between Israel and the Iranian-backed militias, Hezbollah and Hamas. The attack would be in retaliation for the deaths of several leaders of these organizations, including Hassan Nasrallah.
There were no immediate reports of casualties as Israel ordered residents to head to bomb shelters and air raid sirens sounded across the country.
A series of explosions were heard that shook windows in Tel Aviv and near Jerusalem, although it was not immediately clear if the sounds came from missiles that hit or were intercepted by Israeli defenses, or both.
Israel and the United States warned that there would be severe consequences in the event of an attack on Israel by Iran. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris monitored the attack on Israel from the Situation Room at the White House.
Iran took responsibility for launching dozens of ballistic missiles against Israel. The claim was made in a statement read on state television.
In its statement, Iran mentioned Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Revolutionary Guard general Abbas Nilforushan, both killed in an Israeli airstrike last week in Beirut. It also mentioned Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader who was killed in Tehran in a suspected Israeli attack in July. Iran warned that this attack represented only a "first wave," without providing further details.
Alert in Israel due to missile launches
Alerts sounded in Israel after a day of rocket and missile attacks from Lebanon, where the Israeli army claims to have initiated limited ground operations against Hezbollah.
The order to seek refuge was sent to cell phones and announced on national television.
Israeli air and artillery attacks hit villages in southern Lebanon, whose residents were ordered to evacuate, and Hezbollah fighters responded by firing a barrage of rockets into Israel. The number of casualties is unknown at this time as the fighting intensified, as well as the involvement in a broader regional war.
The spokesperson for the Israeli army, Vice Admiral Daniel Hagari, said that the country's air defense system was fully operational, detecting and intercepting threats. "However, the defense is not airtight," he said.
A senior White House official warned of "serious consequences" if Iran were to launch a ballistic missile attack against Israel. U.S. ships and aircraft are already positioned in the region to assist Israel in case of an attack by Iran.
Hezbollah denies invasion of Israel but the army shows video of the operations
The political-paramilitary group Hezbollah denied that Israeli troops had entered Lebanon, but hours later the Israeli army announced that it had also carried out dozens of ground incursions in southern Lebanon for almost a year.
Israel released a video allegedly showing its soldiers intervening in houses and tunnels where Hezbollah stored weapons.
An Israeli military official said that the troops participating in the latest incursion were within walking distance of the border, focusing on villages hundreds of meters from Israel. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in accordance with military regulations, stated that there were no clashes with Hezbollah fighters.