By The Independent (World News) | Created at 2024-10-01 18:55:21 | Updated at 2024-10-01 22:34:20
3 hours ago
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
Iran has threatened “more crushing and destructive” attacks after firing two waves of missiles at Israel.
Iran’s revolutionary guards said they fired dozens of missiles on Tuesday in retaliation for Israel’s campaign against Tehran’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon, including its killing of the group’s leader Hassan Nasrallah.
They added that if Israel retaliated, Tehran’s response would be “more crushing and destructive”, Iranian state TV reported.
Israeli media has reported that more than 100 missiles were fired as civilians took cover in bomb shelters with sirens sounding across the country. No injuries have been reported so far.
Less than an hour after the attack started, Israel’s military sounded the all-clear and said Israelis were free to leave their shelters.
It came as police said six people were killed in a shooting in Tel Aviv, minutes before Iran launched its attack.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who reportedly convened the Israeli security cabinet at the government bunker near Jerusalem, has since spoken to Sir Keir Starmer, Sky News has reported.
The attack comes less than 24 hours after Israel announced it was carrying out “targeted” raids into southern Lebanon. It is the first time Israel has invaded its northern neighbour since 2006, when the two engaged in a month-long all-out war.
Full story: Israel invades Lebanon and Iran retaliates in major escalation of regional conflict
Hundreds of air defence missiles flashed over the cities of Tel Aviv, Ashdod and Jerusalem in an attempt to intercept the Iranian rockets as sirens sounded throughout the country. The Israeli military said the attacks were aimed at 10 million Israeli citizens, though no injuries were reported in the initial findings.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was rushed into a security meeting in a secure bunker near Jerusalem as they worked up a response to the massive onslaught, officials said. US president Joe Biden announced it had directed the US military to aid Israel’s defence.
Tom Watling and Cosette Molijn, from Beirut, report:
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 19:47
Israeli military says it killed commander of Hezbollah-linked group in Beirut
The Israeli military said on Tuesday it killed the commander of the Imam Hussein division in Beirut, a Hezbollah-linked group based in Syria, Al-Faqar Hanawi, in parallel with killing Muhammad Jaafar Qasir, a commander in charge of weapons transfers from Iran and its affiliates to Lebanese armed group Hezbollah earlier in the day.
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 19:38
Moment journalist forced to abandon live report and run for cover as Iran fires missiles on Tel Aviv
Moment journalist abandons report to run for cover as Iran fires missiles on Tel Aviv
A journalist was forced to abandon his live television broadcast and run for cover as Iran launched a missile attack on Israel. CNN correspondent Jim Scuitto was reporting from a Tel Aviv rooftop on Tuesday evening (1 October), as Iran launched a barrage of missiles on the country. As flashes of orange flames lit up the sky, a live bang was suddenly heard. Scuitto said: “We’ve got to get off the roof. These are coming down right next to us here. We got to go inside.” The correspondent was rushed into a bomb shelter as rockets fell from the sky.
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 19:36
In pictures: Shooting attack in Tel Aviv
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 19:35
Hamas praises Iranian missile strikes avenging deaths of Haniyeh, Nasrallah, and Nilforoushan
Hamas said on Tuesday it praises Iranian missile strikes avenging deaths of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan.
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 19:31
Jenrick condemns Iran’s ‘terrible’ attack and calls for UK to give Israel ‘all support to win war'
Robert Jenrick MP has condemned the attack by Iran against Israel as “terrible and unprovoked” as he called for the UK to give Israel “all the support necesary to win this war”.
In a post on X on Tuesday evening, the Conservative leadership candidate said: “Tonight we have seen a terrible and unprovoked attack against Israel by Iran, the world’s chief sponsor of terrorism.
“There can be no more appeasement. We must stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel, our ally, just as we have with Ukraine. All the support necessary to win this war must be given to Israel so they can defeat the evil Iranian regime.”
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 19:31
Tehran informed Russia ahead of missile attacks on Israel, says official
Tehran had informed Russia ahead of Iran’s missile attacks on Israel, a senior Iranian official has told Reuters.
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 19:23
At least six people killed in shooting attack in Tel Aviv, say Israeli police
At least six people were killed and nine wounded in a suspected shooting and stabbing terror attack in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, Israeli police said.
They said that two "terrorists" started a killing spree on the Tel Aviv light rail and continued on foot before being killed by civilians and inspectors using personal pistols.
The attack took place minutes before Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel.
TV footage showed gunmen getting off at a light rail station and opening fire.
Israel's MDA ambulance service said it received a report at 7:01pm (16:01 GMT) of people injured by gunfire.
Medics and paramedics provided on-site medical treatment to a number of wounded people with varying degrees of injuries, including some who were unconscious, MDA said.
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 19:19
Israeli military orders closure of new military area in northern Israel, statement says
Israeli military ordered the closure of a new military area in the region of Dovov, Tivbon and Malkia in northern Israel, it said on Tuesday.
Entering this area is strictly prohibited, the Israeli army added in a statement.
Tara Cobham1 October 2024 19:16
UK ‘completely condemns’ Iran’s actions, says No 10 spokesperson
A No 10 spokesperson has said that “the UK completely condemns Iran’s actions”.
Political editor David Maddox1 October 2024 19:16
