|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Edited by: Fern Sidman
On Tuesday evening, Israeli civilians were ordered to take refuge in bomb shelters as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported incoming missile fire from Iran. Reports indicate that 180 ballistic missiles were launched in the attack so far.
The IDF stated in a message to Israeli citizens, “You are instructed to remain alert and precisely follow the Home Front Command’s instructions.”
“In the last few minutes, the Home Front Command has distributed life-saving instructions in various areas across the country. The public is asked to adhere to the Home Front Command’s guidelines. Upon hearing a siren, you must enter a protected space and remain there until further notice.
“The IDF is doing and will do everything necessary to protect the civilians of the State of Israel.”
The missile attack marked a significant escalation in the ongoing regional conflict, with Brig. Gen. Daniel Hagari, the IDF spokesperson, confirming the launch of missiles aimed at the State of Israel from Iranian territory.
“A short time ago, missiles were launched from Iran towards the State of Israel,” Hagari stated in a press release, urging Israelis to remain vigilant. He further instructed civilians to adhere closely to the directives issued by the Home Front Command, Israel’s national emergency management authority, which coordinates public safety during times of war and disaster.
Hagari reassured the public that Israel’s air defense systems were actively engaging the incoming Iranian missiles. However, he issued a cautious reminder that the defense network, despite its advanced capabilities, is not foolproof. “You may hear explosions, which could be the result of interceptions or impacts,” Hagari warned, emphasizing that missile defense systems might not intercept every threat.
Hagari also highlighted the wide-ranging threat posed by the missiles, which led to alarms being triggered in various regions across Israel. The statement highlighted the unpredictability of the attack and the need for citizens to follow safety protocols meticulously.
The IDF says that it intercepted “a large number” of the ballistic missiles launched by Iran at Israel this evening. Israel’s air defenses were “effective,” the IDF is saying. The US also participated in the defense of Israel, both by detecting the threat from Iran and intercepting some of the missiles, according to the military.
The IDF says there are “isolated” impacts in central Israel and several more impacts in southern Israel.
There is no damage to the “competence” of the Israeli Air Force in the attack, and the IAF’s planes, air defenses, and air traffic control are operating normally, according to the military.
Moreover, the IDF announced that the Israeli Air Force will carry out “powerful airstrikes throughout the Middle East” tonight.
The timing of the missile barrage was notable, coming just hours after a senior White House official warned of an impending Iranian ballistic missile strike. The official, in an email to The Epoch Times, revealed that U.S. intelligence had detected signs of Iran’s preparations for a missile attack on Israel. “The United States has indications that Iran is preparing to imminently launch a ballistic missile attack against Israel,” the official said. The U.S. government, the official added, was “actively supporting defensive preparations” to help Israel mitigate the threat.
The New York Times reported that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps said in a statement that the missile attack had been in retaliation for Israel’s assassinations of Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah; Hamas’s political leader, Ismail Haniyeh; and an Iranian commander.
During the attack, air raid sirens sounded across Israel, including in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Loud booming explosions were heard above both cities, as Israel’s interceptor rockets streaked across the night sky and collided with scores of missiles.
As tensions between Israel and Iran surged, Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the Biden administration’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s defense. “The United States is committed to Israel’s defense,” Blinken said in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the situation was being monitored “very closely.”
While Blinken did not directly comment on the reported Iranian missile attack, his statement highlighted the broader context of U.S.-Israeli security cooperation, particularly in the face of growing threats from Iranian proxies such as Hezbollah. Washington has consistently backed Israel in its fight against Iranian-backed militias, providing military and diplomatic support during periods of heightened conflict.
The report in the NYT indicated that Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of Israel on Tuesday, the Pentagon said in a statement, adding that Austin “made it clear that the United States is well postured to defend U.S. personnel, allies and partners in the face of threats from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organizations.” The Pentagon announced on Monday that it was sending “several thousand” more U.S. troops to the region, adding to its force of some 40,000 already in the area.
The Associated Press reported that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned Iran’s attack on Israel during a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Starmer was on the phone with Netanyahu when the barrage of missiles began Tuesday, further escalating the situation in the Middle East.
He reiterated the U.K.’s commitment to Israel’s security and the protection of civilians, but emphasized the importance of seeking cease-fires in Lebanon and Gaza, the prime minister’s office said in a readout of the call.
Starmer also spoke with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and they both called for de-escalation of fighting in the region.
At approximately 2 pm Eastern time, it was reported that the IDF spokesperson’s office was allowing locals to leave shelters. According to preliminary information, there were no casualties among the Israelis although one Palestinian Muslim from Jericho was killed.
According to The Epoch Times, the U.S. government warned that any direct military action by Iran against Israel would result in “severe consequences” for the Iranian regime. This stern warning from Washington indicates that any further escalation could prompt a broader confrontation between Iran and U.S.-backed regional powers.
Iran’s direct missile attack represents a significant escalation, moving beyond the proxy warfare traditionally waged through Hezbollah and other terrorist groups. For years, Iran has provided financial and military support to Hezbollah and Palestinian factions such as Hamas, but direct missile fire from Iran introduces a new dimension to the conflict.
The attack also calls attention to the growing threat of Iran’s ballistic missile program, which has been a subject of concern for both Israel and the international community. The Iranian missile threat has led to significant investments in Israeli missile defense systems, such as the Iron Dome and David’s Sling, which are designed to intercept short- and medium-range projectiles. However, long-range ballistic missiles from Iran pose a different challenge, one that requires coordination with global partners like the United States.
The missile fire from Iran also places new pressure on Israel’s security apparatus. With its attention split between ongoing military operations in Lebanon and the incoming threats from Iran, the Israeli government must navigate a rapidly evolving battlefield while ensuring the safety of its citizens. For now, the focus remains on Israel’s air defense capabilities and the ability of its military to protect the civilian population from further harm.
Reports indicate that the U.S. was not merely observing the situation but actively supporting Israel’s defensive efforts. The intelligence-sharing between the U.S. and Israel is a testament to their deep strategic relationship, which has long been based on close military and intelligence cooperation. This support has proven vital in ensuring Israel’s readiness to confront large-scale threats from Iran and its proxies in the region.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during remarks made Tuesday alongside Morocco’s foreign minister, reiterated the U.S.’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s defense, saying, “The United States is committed to Israel’s defense.”
This diplomatic stance aligns with the broader U.S. strategy in the Middle East, where Washington has consistently acted to contain Iranian influence and deter its aggressive military actions, particularly when those actions threaten American allies like Israel. The explicit warning issued to Iran signals that the U.S. is prepared to escalate its involvement if necessary, which could include both military and economic responses.
In related developments, the Jewish News Syndicate reported that six people were killed and nine wounded in a terrorist shooting on Jerusalem Boulevard in Tel Aviv-Jaffa on Tuesday night. Three others are in serious condition and additional people were wounded in the attack.
Three terrorists were killed at the scene.
“There are several wounded with varying degrees of injuries,” the Magen David Adom medical response group said in a statement. The organization declared a mass casualty event.
The victims were taken to Wolfson Medical Center in Holon and Sourasky Tel Aviv Medical Center (Ichilov Hospital).
A police officer on the scene said the terrorist attack involved at least two gunmen who exited a train car and opened fire at people waiting at one of the light-rail stations on Jaffa’s Jerusalem Boulevard.
The shooting incident took place on Yerushalayim Street in Tel Aviv.
The shooting took place just prior to the large missile launch from Iran into Israel.
Ground Operation
On Tuesday, the IDF issued a stark warning to residents of Southern Lebanon, urging them not to travel south of the Litani River. This warning came just hours after Israeli tanks crossed the border, marking the beginning of a limited ground operation against Hezbollah. According to a report by The Jewish News Syndicate, the operation is aimed at neutralizing the immediate threat posed by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorists positioned near the border.
The IDF’s Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee, head of the Arab Media Branch in the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, communicated the warning via a tweet in Arabic. He stressed the intensity of the ongoing fighting in Southern Lebanon, noting that Hezbollah fighters are embedded within civilian areas and using local populations as human shields for their attacks. “For your personal safety, we urge you not to travel by vehicle from the northern area to the area south of the Litani River,” Adraee warned, according to the JNS.org report, highlighting the imminent dangers in the region. He added that the warning would remain in effect until further notice.
The limited ground operation commenced after Jerusalem’s Security Cabinet gave the green light, as reported by JNS.org. The IDF emphasized that these were “localized and targeted raids” focused on Hezbollah strongholds near the border. “These targets are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel,” the IDF stated. The operation is backed by extensive aerial and artillery support to ensure the safety of Israeli forces and reduce the risk of Hezbollah counterattacks.
The forces participating in the ground operation include fighters from the IDF’s 98th Division, which comprises commandos, paratroopers, and armored units from the 7th Brigade. These troops, seasoned by months of fighting Hamas in Gaza, have been preparing for this ground operation for several weeks. The transfer of these battle-hardened units to the Northern Command signals the IDF’s commitment to neutralizing Hezbollah’s threat, which has escalated in recent months.
Hezbollah, undeterred by the IDF’s ground movements, continued to target communities in northern Israel with rocket fire. According to JNS.org, the Iran-backed terrorist group expanded its range of attacks, launching several long-range rockets towards central Israel, including the Gush Dan region and areas around Tel Aviv. While initial reports indicate that some of these rockets were intercepted by Israeli defense systems, there were also direct impacts.
One such impact occurred on Highway 6 near the Horeshim Interchange, resulting in two men being wounded by shrapnel. The JNS report indicated that Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical service, reported that the victims—a 54-year-old bus driver and a 31-year-old private driver—were treated for moderate and light injuries, respectively. The incident calls attention to the increasing range and intensity of Hezbollah’s rocket fire, which is now reaching deeper into Israel’s heartland.
The decision to launch a ground operation against Hezbollah comes at a critical juncture for Israel, which is facing simultaneous threats from multiple fronts. While Hamas continues to launch attacks from Gaza, Hezbollah’s presence in Southern Lebanon poses a unique and significant threat. As was explained in the JNS report, the villages targeted by the IDF in this operation are known to house Hezbollah weapons caches and fortified positions, which are used to launch rocket and missile attacks into northern Israel.
Also on Tuesday morning, the Israeli town of Tziv’on in the Upper Galilee was jolted by rocket and missile alerts, highlighting the persistent threat posed by Hezbollah’s cross-border attacks. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had earlier reported multiple launches targeting towns across the Upper Galilee, including Metula, Avivim, and Baram. According to JNS.org, these attacks are part of a broader escalation by Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed terror organization, which has been launching attacks in support of Hamas since the start of the conflict in early October 2023.
The constant barrage of rocket fire from Hezbollah has led to the evacuation of over 60,000 Israelis from their homes in northern Israel. With communities in the Upper Galilee under constant threat, Israel’s war effort has now explicitly incorporated the goal of enabling the safe return of northern residents to their homes. This objective signals the government’s commitment to restoring normalcy and securing the region for its civilians, as reported by JNS.org.
Fighter jets from the Israeli Air Force have launched several attacks on key Hezbollah strongholds, particularly in the Dahieh district, located in southern Beirut. According to JNS.org, these strikes have targeted weapons-manufacturing facilities and other critical military assets.
The escalation follows the assassination of Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in the same district on Friday. Nasrallah’s death marks a significant development in the conflict, and Israeli strikes in Dahieh have been aimed at further debilitating Hezbollah’s operational capabilities. JNS has reported that the IDF has stated that these attacks are intended to systematically degrade Hezbollah’s military infrastructure. “At this time, the IDF continues to strike forcefully to degrade the military capabilities and infrastructure of Hezbollah in order to restore security to the State of Israel and its citizens,” the military confirmed in a statement.
As the IDF continues its operations in Lebanon, the conflict has broadened to include strikes against Palestinian factions operating in the region. Early Tuesday, Israeli forces conducted an airstrike targeting a senior commander of Fatah’s military wing, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade. The target, Mounir Maqdah, is the commander of the Lebanese branch of Fatah’s armed wing, according to reports from Reuters and JNS.org. The strike marked the first time that Israel has targeted the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain al-Hilweh, located near Sidon, since hostilities with Hezbollah escalated.
Maqdah’s involvement in the ongoing conflict is significant, given Fatah’s historical role in Palestinian terrorism. While it remains unclear whether the strike was successful, the targeting of Fatah calls attention to Israel’s determination to neutralize not only Hezbollah but also other armed groups that pose a threat from Lebanese territory. The JNS.org report noted that this follows a similar strike in August when Israel killed Fatah terrorist Khalil Makdah in a drone strike near Sidon.
Hezbollah’s support for Hamas has been a critical factor in the escalation of violence along Israel’s northern border. Since October 8, Hezbollah has conducted relentless attacks on Israeli civilian and military targets in solidarity with Hamas, further complicating the IDF’s efforts to contain the conflict. JNS.org has reported that Hezbollah’s cross-border operations have expanded beyond the traditional flashpoints, with rocket fire reaching deep into Israel’s northern towns and villages.
In a critical escalation of its military operations in Lebanon, Israel announced on Monday that it had killed Fateh Sherif Abu el-Amin, a senior leader of the Hamas terrorist organization operating in the country. The strike, which took place in the Tyre region of southern Lebanon, further intensifies Israel’s ongoing efforts to neutralize Hamas and Hezbollah’s presence along its northern border. According to JNS.org, el-Amin was not only a high-ranking member of Hamas but also an employee of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), a U.N. body dedicated to assisting Palestinian refugees and their descendants.
>
The strike on Tyre is part of a broader campaign aimed at degrading the capabilities of terror groups such as Hamas, which, according to JNS.org, has been a critical player in fueling the conflict between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza and Lebanon.
In addition to the elimination of el-Amin, Israel also targeted the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), another Palestinian group with deep ties to terrorist activities. JNS.org reported that on Sunday night, Israeli airstrikes in Beirut killed three senior PFLP operatives. The PFLP has been a longstanding adversary of Israel, known for its role in orchestrating attacks against Israeli civilians and military targets. These strikes represent a continued Israeli effort to disrupt the leadership and operational capabilities of militant groups that threaten its northern communities.
The Israeli government has thrown its full weight behind the current military campaign. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a key figure in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition, expressed strong support for the continued offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon. In a tweet shared by JNS.org, Ben-Gvir, leader of the Otzma Yehudit Party, emphasized the importance of maintaining pressure on Hezbollah, describing the military decisions of recent days as “important, correct and necessary.”
Ben-Gvir’s message also extended to the broader public, advocating for sustained military efforts to ensure the safe return of Israelis displaced from their homes in the north due to the conflict. “Now is not the time to stop,” he asserted, calling for a decisive blow to Hezbollah’s infrastructure. According to JNS.org, Ben-Gvir praised the courage and resilience of IDF soldiers who are fighting under challenging conditions in Southern Lebanon, acknowledging the widespread support they have from the Israeli people.
In a significant disclosure, the IDF revealed on Tuesday that it had conducted dozens of secret ground operations into Southern Lebanon over the past year, aimed at crippling Hezbollah’s military capabilities. These operations were part of a broader effort to prepare for the larger ground offensive that commenced earlier this week, with the objective of diminishing Hezbollah’s ability to invade northern Israel. According to JNS.org, these clandestine missions were pivotal in uncovering and neutralizing a vast network of tunnels, hidden weapons caches, and other terrorist infrastructure used by Hezbollah.
The IDF’s spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, provided detailed information on these operations, explaining that the raids were intended to counter Hezbollah’s plans for a massive cross-border infiltration, led by the terror group’s elite Radwan Force. Over the course of these secret missions, IDF soldiers uncovered key elements of Hezbollah’s invasion strategy, including maps and detailed plans that were intended for use during a large-scale assault on Israeli territory.
One of the most critical discoveries made during these operations was a map, which Hagari displayed during his press briefing. As reported by JNS.org, the map outlined Hezbollah’s ambitious plans to invade northern Israel, marking Israeli settlements, IDF military posts, access roads, and key targets for conquest. “This map was supposed to be used by thousands of Hezbollah terrorists on the day of the order to raid the territory of the State of Israel, as Hamas did on Oct. 7,” Hagari explained, referencing the devastating Hamas assault on southern Israel earlier this year.
This information has provided the IDF with critical insights into Hezbollah’s strategic thinking, allowing Israeli forces to preemptively strike at the heart of the group’s war-making capabilities. One of the most significant operations in this context was the killing of Ibrahim Aqil, the head of Hezbollah’s special operations unit, on Sept. 20, a move that struck a blow to the terror group’s leadership and its operational plans.
The JNS report indicated that during the press briefing, Hagari also detailed three specific raids carried out in Hezbollah-controlled villages in Southern Lebanon, including Meiss El Jabal, Kfarkela, and Ayta ash Shab. In Ayta ash Shab, IDF soldiers uncovered an extensive network of underground shafts and tunnels, some reaching depths of 20 to 25 meters (65 to 83 feet). These tunnels were fortified with rocket launchers and contained over 10 separate ammunition stores, demonstrating the depth and sophistication of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in the area.
In Meiss El Jabal, just 30 meters (98 feet) from the Israeli border, IDF forces discovered an ammunition depot that had been designed to supply an entire company of Radwan Force terrorists. This depot, located in a 12-meter-deep shaft beneath a civilian house, was a clear indication of Hezbollah’s reliance on civilian areas to hide its military operations. As JNS.org reported, the weapons stored here were meant for future use in Hezbollah’s planned invasion of northern Israel, targeting Israeli towns and settlements near the border.
The IDF’s operations also targeted Kfarkela, another Hezbollah stronghold, where Israeli soldiers conducted ground demolitions and air strikes to destroy terrorist infrastructure. These raids, which took Israeli forces up to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) into Lebanon, were aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s ability to launch an effective invasion of Israel’s northern communities.
As the broader ground offensive against Hezbollah gains momentum, the IDF’s year-long campaign of covert operations will likely play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the conflict. By degrading Hezbollah’s military infrastructure and thwarting its invasion plans, Israel has positioned itself to prevent a large-scale assault on its northern communities. Rear Adm. Hagari’s briefing, as reported by JNS.org, emphasized that the operations have already significantly diminished Hezbollah’s ability to pose an immediate threat to Israeli civilians.
Moving forward, the IDF will likely continue to expand its operations in Southern Lebanon, targeting remaining Hezbollah assets and ensuring that the terror group’s capacity to wage war against Israel is thoroughly dismantled. With the northern residents’ safe return home now one of Israel’s key war objectives, the success of these operations will be critical in securing peace and stability along the border.
