Iran has launched ballistic missile attacks on Israel, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said on Tuesday.
“Just a while ago, missiles were launched from Iran towards the State of Israel. All Israeli civilians are in bomb shelters as rockets from Iran are fired at Israel. The air defence system is fully operational, detecting and intercepting threats wherever necessary, even at this moment”, the IDF said.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the missile attack was in response to the killing of Hezbollah chief, Hassan Nasrallah, last week, as well as that of the Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh.
“In response to the martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh, Hassan Nasrallah and (Guards commander) Nilforoshan, we targeted the heart of the occupied territories (Israel).
“If the Zionist regime reacts to Iranian operations, it will face crushing attacks”, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement carried by Iranian news agency Fars.
The aerial attack involved hundreds of missiles headed for Israeli targets, according to Iranian state television.
Meanwhile, Air traffic has been halted at Israel’s Ben Gurion airport following the launch of the attack.
“There are currently no takeoffs and landings”, said a spokesman for Israel’s main international airport.
“Iran’s attack is continuing. You are requested to remain in a protected space until further notice. The explosions you are hearing are from interceptions or fallen projectiles”, the army said in a statement to Israelis.
The aerial attack came shortly after a senior White House official’s confirmation that the United States was “actively supporting defensive preparations” for an anticipated Iranian ballistic missile strike on Israel.
