Just hours after a warning from the United States, Iran on Tuesday launched hundreds of missiles at Israel, forcing the Jewish nation to close its airspace. US President Joe Biden ordered the US Army deployed in the Middle East to assist Israel in wake of the Iranian attacks. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) posted on X, "All Israeli civilians are in bomb shelters as rockets from Iran are fired at Israel." In another post, it added, "Approx. 10 million civilians are the targets of Iranian projectiles." Israel has warned there would be "repercussions" if Iran attacks. Meanwhile, Iran responded that "if Israel responds militarily to this operation, it will face a harsher response." Live updates here.
The Iranian missile strikes came shortly after the US warned that there were "indications that Iran is preparing to imminently launch a ballistic missile attack against Israel". "We are actively supporting defensive preparations to defend Israel against this attack. A direct military attack from Iran against Israel will carry severe consequences for Iran," the US said in its statement.
In a statement posted on X, the Iranian mission to the UN warned "Zionists", saying, "Iran's legal, rational, and legitimate response to the terrorist acts of the Zionist regime—which involved targeting Iranian nationals and interests and infringing upon the national sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran—has been duly carried out. Should the Zionist regime dare to respond or commit further acts of malevolence, a subsequent and crushing response will ensue. Regional states and the Zionists' supporters are advised to part ways with the regime."
Israel Begins Ground Ops In Lebanon
Israel on Tuesday began its "limited, localised, and targeted" ground operation in southern Lebanon, two days after it eliminated Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike. Just shortly before the ground ops, Israel warned civilians residing in neighbourhoods in southern Lebanon to flee to safety. The IDF stated that the Israeli ground raid would target Hezbollah infrastructure in villages in south Lebanon which are seen as an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel. The IDF added that Operation "Northern Arrows" will continue along with the war in Gaza.
Israel's ground invasion comes a day after it informed the US that it was going to conduct "limited operations" targeting Hezbollah sites near the border.
Hezbollah 'Prepared To Fight Israel'
Meanwhile, Hezbollah's deputy leader, Naim Kassem, on Tuesday vowed to carry out a long drawn-out war with Israel after its top commanders were killed in Israeli bombardment. In his first speech since Nasrallah's death, Kassem said Hezbollah fighters were prepared to defend Lebanon and warned that if Israel launches a ground invasion, they are ready to fight back. The conflict has escalated with Hezbollah firing missiles into northern Israel, forcing over a million Israelis to seek shelter, while Israel has hit multiple Hezbollah targets and dismantled Hamas tunnels in Gaza. Here are the top 10 latest updates on the ongoing conflict:
1. Israel urges Lebanese towns to evacuate: The Israeli military has called on residents of over 20 towns in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately. The warning was made public by Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee.
2. UN informed of Israeli ground invasions: The UN peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, reported that Israel had informed them of plans for limited ground operations in Lebanon. UNIFIL urged all parties to avoid escalating the situation further, stressing the importance of respecting Lebanese sovereignty.
3. Turkey condemns Israeli attacks: Turkey has condemned Israel’s ground invasion in Lebanon, calling it “illegal” and demanding an immediate withdrawal. The Turkish foreign ministry warned that the offensive could spark a new wave of migration in the region.
4. Hezbollah attacks Israeli military base: Hezbollah announced it had targeted a key Israeli military intelligence base near Tel Aviv with rockets. The group claimed responsibility for the attack on the Glilot base, which houses Israeli intelligence and Mossad operations.
5. Israeli air strikes in Syria: Syrian state media reported that three civilians were killed and nine injured after Israeli air strikes hit targets in Damascus. Israel said the strikes were part of its broader military efforts against Hezbollah and its allies.
6. UN, Lebanon appeal for aid: Lebanon and the UN launched a joint appeal for over $400 million to help civilians displaced by Israel’s military offensive.
7. Lebanon facing 'one of the most dangerous times': Lebanon PM Najib Mikati described the current situation as one of the most dangerous periods in the country’s history.
8. Israel insists war against Hezbollah, not Lebanese civilians: An Israeli military spokesperson clarified that their war is against Hezbollah, not the people of Lebanon.
9. US, Israel aligned on dismantling Hezbollah's infrastructure: Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that both Israel and the United States agree on the need to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure along the Israel-Lebanon border. This was confirmed after talks with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
10. Israel 'committed' to diplomatic solution: Orli Weitzman, Israel’s Consul General to south India, stated that Israel is committed to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict but will take military action if necessary. Israel’s main goal remains a diplomatic solution to end the violence, he added.
(With inputs from agencies)