Israel's military spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, characterized Iran's missile attack on October 1 as serious and indicated it would have repercussions, although he did not disclose the specifics of Israel's response.
He noted that there were no reported casualties from the missile strikes, which affected areas in the central and southern parts of the country. In a televised statement, Hagari emphasized that Israel remains on high alert, both defensively and offensively, and assured that the country would protect its citizens.
"This attack will have consequences. We have plans in place and will act when and where we choose," he stated.
Iran fired a salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for the Israeli military's campaign against its ally Hezbollah in Lebanon. Alarms rang out across Israel, prompting citizens to rush into bomb shelters as explosions echoed in Jerusalem and the Jordan River valley. State television reporters lay flat on the ground during live broadcasts as the situation unfolded.
Israeli army radio reported that nearly 200 missiles were launched into Israel from Iran. In response, Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed they had launched tens of missiles, threatening that any retaliation from Israel would be met with a "more crushing and ruinous" response.
Following the missile strikes, the Israeli military announced an all-clear, indicating that residents could leave their shelters. Military spokesman Daniel Hagari characterized the attack as serious, noting that no injuries had been reported. He emphasized that the military would respond accordingly.
A senior Iranian official disclosed to Reuters that the order to launch missiles at Israel came from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is currently in a secure location. Eyewitnesses reported seeing missiles intercepted in the airspace of neighboring Jordan. The Iranian missile strikes led to a five percent spike in oil prices, raising concerns about a potential wider conflict between the two nations.
This marked the first instance of Iranian missiles being fired at Israel since a previous round in April, which had been thwarted with assistance from U.S. military forces. Israel responded with airstrikes in Iran, narrowly averting a broader escalation.
Iran's missile attack follows recent Israeli strikes that resulted in the deaths of top Hezbollah leaders, including the group's leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Israel reported conducting limited ground raids into Lebanon, which marks a significant development as Israeli troops engage with Hezbollah for the first time in 18 years.
U.S. President Joe Biden stated that the United States is prepared to assist Israel in defending against Iranian missile threats, following a meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris and the White House national security team. In a statement, Biden reiterated the U.S. commitment to protect American personnel in the region.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the escalating violence, calling for an immediate ceasefire. He expressed concern over the situation in Lebanon, where over a thousand individuals have been killed and one million displaced due to intense Israeli airstrikes. As the violence continues, the situation remains tense.
Residents in Lebanon expressed a determination to resist Israeli forces, emphasizing that the conflict has united various factions within the country against what they perceive as Israeli aggression.
In light of the ongoing missile strikes, the Embassy of Uzbekistan has issued an urgent advisory for its citizens in Israel. They are urged to take immediate precautions, including seeking shelter during missile attacks, staying informed through official communications from the Israeli government and the Embassy, and carrying identity documents and the contact information of the Embassy at all times.
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