Iran launches barrage of missiles at Israel | BBC News

BBC News

1 Oct 202404:51

Summary

TLDRIran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles toward Israel, targeting cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Israel's Iron Dome defense system intercepted many of the missiles, and civilians were advised to take shelter. The attack was a response to the recent killings of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders. Israel is expected to retaliate, with fears of further escalation. In a separate incident, six people were killed in a shooting near a Tel Aviv railway station. The U.S. is closely coordinating with Israel's defense efforts to manage the situation.

Takeaways

🚀 Iran launched a significant missile attack on Israel, with missiles targeting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
🛡 Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted many of the incoming missiles, preventing further damage.
🏙️ Israeli civilians were instructed to seek shelter in bomb shelters during the attack, highlighting the urgency and danger of the situation.
🗣️ Iran claimed the missile strikes were in retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh.
⚠️ There are concerns about escalating tensions and potential further conflict across the region.
🇮🇷 The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that the missile attack was only the first wave and threatened additional attacks if Israel retaliates.
🔫 A shooting attack in Tel Aviv resulted in six deaths and several injuries, adding to the violence and instability.
🤝 The United States military coordinated with the Israeli Defense Forces, assisting in the defense against the Iranian missile attack.
👮‍♂️ The attackers in the Tel Aviv shooting were neutralized by a passerby and a security guard, preventing further casualties.
🏛️ President Biden and Vice President Harris monitored the situation from the White House Situation Room, emphasizing the gravity of the event.

Q & A

What triggered Iran's missile attack on Israel?
-Iran launched the missile attack in response to the killings of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh.
How did Israel defend itself during the missile barrage?
-Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted and shot down many of the missiles as sirens sounded across the country, warning civilians to take refuge in bomb shelters.
What role did the United States play during the missile attack on Israel?
-The United States military coordinated closely with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and deployed naval destroyers to help intercept and shoot down incoming missiles.
What statement did Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issue following the attack?
-The IRGC stated that the missile barrage was just the first wave and warned that further attacks would follow if Israel retaliated.
What was the aftermath of the missile barrage in terms of civilian safety in Israel?
-Israeli civilians were initially told to stay in bomb shelters but were later informed by authorities that they could leave after the immediate threat passed.
What was the situation in Tel Aviv during the missile attack?
-In Tel Aviv, six people were shot dead and at least nine others were injured in a shooting attack near a railway station in the Jaffa area. The two assailants were shot dead by a passerby and a security guard.
What was the reaction from Israel following the missile attack?
-Israel declared that Iran's missile attack would have consequences, although it was not yet clear what specific actions Israel would take in response.
What was the atmosphere in northern Israel during the missile attacks?
-In northern Israel, near the Lebanese border, there were explosions from outgoing Israeli fire. Civilians in the area took shelter as missiles were seen heading toward central Israel, and some were intercepted by Israel’s defense systems.
How did Israeli civilians in bomb shelters feel about the ongoing situation?
-Civilians in bomb shelters expressed broad support for Israel’s intensified attacks on Hezbollah but were also mindful of the risk of further escalation and the dangers they might face.
What ongoing military actions has Israel been conducting near the Lebanese border?
-Israel has been carrying out raids across the Lebanese border in an effort to target Hezbollah fighters and push them out of the area, which has seen ongoing threats from Hezbollah rockets.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Iran's Missile Attack on Israel

Iran launched a massive missile attack aimed at Israel, targeting major cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The Israeli defense system, Iron Dome, intercepted many of the missiles, leading to explosions across the country. Civilians were directed to bomb shelters but were later allowed to leave. Iran claims the attack is retaliation for the killings of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders, signaling the potential for further escalation. Iran's Revolutionary Guard warns that more attacks will follow if Israel retaliates.

⚠️ Deadly Shooting in Tel Aviv

In Tel Aviv, six people were killed and nine others injured in a shooting near a railway station. The attackers, who disembarked from a commuter train, were shot dead by a passerby and a security guard. Israeli media covered the incident extensively, highlighting the heightened tension in the region amid the missile attacks.

🛡️ U.S. Response to Iranian Missile Strike

The White House National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, confirmed that Iran launched approximately 200 ballistic missiles toward Israel. The U.S. military coordinated with Israel, deploying naval destroyers and air defense systems to intercept the missiles. President Biden and Vice President Harris monitored the situation closely from the White House, emphasizing continued cooperation with Israeli forces in assessing the impact.

🔊 Report from Northern Israel Amid Missile Strikes

A correspondent reporting from northern Israel, near the Lebanese border, described frequent explosions, likely from outgoing Israeli fire. Missiles were seen heading toward central Israel, with some intercepted mid-flight. Citizens were urged to seek shelter as the region came under attack, although the immediate threat seems to have passed. The correspondent also noted heightened anxiety over possible Israeli retaliation.

💣 Israeli Public's Reaction and Concerns

Israeli citizens are broadly supportive of military actions against Hezbollah, as ongoing conflicts have made life along the border increasingly difficult. However, many are cautious about the potential for further escalation. While Israel often promises a strong response to attacks, people fear being caught in the cycle of retaliation, with the latest Iranian missile strike heightening those concerns.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Iran

Iran is central to the script as the nation responsible for launching missiles at Israel. This is portrayed as a major escalation in the regional conflict, triggered by the killings of key Hezbollah and Hamas leaders. Iran's involvement signals broader geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

💡Israel

Israel is the nation under attack in the script, with missiles targeting major cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the Iron Dome missile defense system play a critical role in intercepting the attack. The conflict revolves around Israel's ongoing tensions with regional actors like Iran and Hezbollah.

💡Missile attack

The missile attack refers to the launch of 200 ballistic missiles from Iran towards Israel. The Iron Dome system intercepted many of these missiles, averting widespread damage. The missile strikes symbolize the intensity of the ongoing conflict and raise concerns about further escalation.

💡Iron Dome

The Iron Dome is Israel's advanced missile defense system, designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells. It plays a crucial role in the script, successfully neutralizing many of the missiles launched by Iran, which prevented further civilian casualties.

💡Hezbollah

Hezbollah, a Shiite militant group based in Lebanon, is frequently mentioned as a key player in the regional conflict. The script mentions that Israel has intensified its operations against Hezbollah, and the missile attack was in retaliation for the killing of one of its leaders.

💡Hamas

Hamas is a Palestinian political and militant group, also involved in the ongoing conflict with Israel. The missile attack by Iran is said to be in response to the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas political leader, highlighting the group's importance in the regional power dynamics.

💡Escalation

Escalation refers to the heightened tensions and increasing military actions between Israel and its adversaries, especially Iran and Hezbollah. The script mentions fears of wider escalation across the region following the missile attack, hinting at a potentially broader conflict.

💡Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)

The Israeli Defense Forces are Israel's military forces, involved in defending the country against external threats. In the script, the IDF works alongside U.S. forces to shoot down incoming Iranian missiles, demonstrating their role in national security and defense.

💡Lebanon

Lebanon is mentioned in the context of Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah forces near the border. The proximity of Lebanon to northern Israel makes it a critical front in the ongoing conflict, as Hezbollah operates from within Lebanese territory.

💡United States

The United States is depicted as a key ally of Israel, actively helping to defend against the Iranian missile attack. U.S. naval destroyers were involved in intercepting missiles, and American leadership monitored the situation closely, showing the U.S.'s strategic support for Israel in the conflict.

Highlights

Iran launched a barrage of missiles targeting Israel, lighting up the skies above Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system successfully intercepted many of the missiles.

Sirens sounded across Israel, prompting civilians to take refuge in bomb shelters.

The missile attack was in response to the killings of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that the missile attack was the first wave and more attacks would follow if Israel retaliated.

Israel responded by stating that the attack would have consequences.

A separate shooting attack in Tel Aviv resulted in six deaths and nine injuries, with the attackers shot dead by a passerby and a security guard.

The White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed that Iran had launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles toward Israel.

U.S. Naval Destroyers assisted Israeli air defense units in intercepting missiles.

President Biden and Vice President Harris monitored the attack and response from the White House Situation Room.

Northern Israel, near the Lebanese border, witnessed outgoing Israeli fire and missile interception activities.

Missiles targeted central Israel, with the Iron Dome intercepting many of them, while some fell to the ground.

Israeli Defense Forces launched raids into Lebanese territory, targeting Hezbollah fighters.

Residents in northern Israel, especially near the Lebanese border, have been supportive of Israel's intensified attacks on Hezbollah.

There is widespread concern about potential escalation and the impact on civilians amid ongoing threats from Hezbollah and Iran.