Israel confirmed on Tuesday, October 1, that Iran launched around 180 missiles toward Israeli territory, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the missile barrage followed the recent deaths of Iran-backed militant leaders.
“IDF systems detected approximately 180 missiles fired from Iran toward Israeli territory,” the military stated. A security official verified this figure to AFP, emphasizing the scale of the attack.
Air raid sirens echoed throughout Israel, prompting residents to seek shelter. The IDF later reported that many of the missiles were intercepted, and the immediate threat had been neutralized. “It is now safe to exit protected spaces across the country,” the military announced.
This attack is the second direct strike by Iran on Israel, following a missile and drone assault in April. Iranian state media said the missiles targeted Tel Aviv in retaliation for the assassinations of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, allegedly carried out by Israeli forces.
The international community expressed concern, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling for an immediate ceasefire. Explosions were heard over Jerusalem, and two people sustained minor injuries from shrapnel in central Israel. In response, Israel closed its airspace, with neighboring Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan taking similar measures.
In the wake of the attack, U.S. President Joe Biden ordered American military support for Israel, as regional allies mobilized in response to the situation. This development further intensifies the already volatile Gaza conflict, drawing Iran-backed groups further into the ongoing hostilities following Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel.
