In a sharp escalation of regional tensions, Iran fired a barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday, responding to Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Hezbollah, Tehran’s ally in Lebanon.
Air raid sirens blared across Israel, and explosions echoed in Jerusalem and the Jordan River Valley as residents sought refuge in bomb shelters. Live broadcasts from state television showed reporters taking cover as the attacks unfolded.
Reuters journalists reported seeing missiles intercepted over Jordan, while Israeli media claimed up to 100 missiles were launched. Earlier, the Israeli military had warned that any missile strike from Iran would be widespread, advising the public to shelter in safe rooms.
The missile attack followed Iran’s vow to retaliate for Israeli strikes that killed key Hezbollah leaders in Lebanon. Israel had also confirmed launching ground raids into Lebanon, which it described as limited operations.
This Israeli campaign marks the largest escalation in the region since last year’s Gaza conflict. U.S. President Joe Biden pledged support for Israel’s defense, stating the U.S. was ready to assist in countering the missile attacks and ensuring the safety of American personnel in the region.
Escalating Conflict in Lebanon
The ground raids signal Israel’s first military incursion into Lebanon in 18 years, pitting its forces against Hezbollah, one of Iran’s strongest proxy groups. The conflict has resulted in intense airstrikes, with Israel reportedly targeting and killing much of Hezbollah’s leadership. The fighting has claimed over a thousand Lebanese lives, displacing millions and devastating communities.
Iran, a staunch backer of Hezbollah, vowed swift retaliation, heightening fears of a broader regional war despite diplomatic efforts by the U.S. to contain the violence.
One of the latest high-profile Hezbollah casualties is Muhammad Jaafar Qasir, whom Israel identified as a key commander responsible for facilitating weapons transfers from Iran.
In Lebanon, scenes of mourning unfolded as families buried victims of Israeli strikes. Abdulhamid Ramadan, a resident of Sidon, shared his grief after losing his wife and daughter in the destruction. “My whole life changed in a second,” he said. Despite the devastation, many Lebanese expressed a determination to resist Israel, with some residents declaring that not just Hezbollah, but the entire country, would stand against further aggression.
