The Israeli military reported on Tuesday that Iran has launched missiles targeting Israel, prompting air raid sirens to activate nationwide and residents were instructed to stay near bomb shelters.
Both Israel and the United States have issued stern warnings regarding severe repercussions in the event of an Iranian attack. Alerts were broadcast through national television and sent to mobile devices throughout Israel. Reports indicated sirens were heard in areas including Jerusalem and central Israel.
This escalation follows a series of rocket and missile strikes from Lebanon, with Israel announcing it has initiated limited ground operations in the southern region of Lebanon. Israeli airstrikes and artillery targeted southern Lebanese villages, with local residents advised to evacuate. Hezbollah retaliated by firing a barrage of rockets into Israel. There has been no immediate information regarding casualties as tensions have escalated and fears of a larger regional conflict rise.
A senior official from the White House emphasized that if Iran were to launch a ballistic missile at Israel, there would be severe consequences. U.S. ships and aircraft are strategically positioned in the region to support Israel if an Iranian attack occurs. The official provided this information on the condition of anonymity, citing it as sensitive intelligence.
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, an Israeli military spokesperson, echoed the concerns about possible Iranian missile strikes and urged the public to follow Home Front Command guidelines, stating that a widespread Iranian attack could pose significant dangers.
Iran previously attempted a direct strike on Israel in April, although many of the missiles were intercepted by a U.S.-led coalition, while others fell short or malfunctioned.
Despite Hezbollah’s denial of claims that Israeli ground forces have crossed into Lebanon, the Israeli army stated it has conducted various ground raids over the past year. They released video evidence purportedly showing their soldiers operating in areas where Hezbollah reportedly stores weapons.
If these reports are valid, it would represent a significant setback for Hezbollah, a powerful Iranian-backed militia in the region. The group has been under pressure following the death of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and several high-ranking commanders due to targeted strikes.
On Tuesday morning, Israel advised civilians to evacuate north of the Awali River, approximately 60 kilometers from the border, extending beyond the Litani River buffer zone established after the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah conflict. The border area has seen a significant decrease in residents as tensions have risen in recent months, but the extent of the evacuation alert raised questions about Israel’s military strategy and the potential depth of operations into Lebanon.
An Israeli aerial attack struck a residential structure near Beirut on Tuesday, resulting in damage without immediate reports of injuries. This strike targeted an apartment located roughly 100 meters from the Iranian Embassy, raising concerns of further retaliatory actions.
With ongoing threats from Hezbollah, the Israeli army announced additional restrictions on public gatherings and closed beaches across northern and central Israel. The military also called up thousands of reserve personnel to bolster defenses along the northern frontier.
Reports confirmed sightings of Israeli forces near the border utilizing armored trucks and helicopters, though the confirmation of ground forces entering Lebanon remained unverified as the Lebanese army and U.N. peacekeeping forces reported no such incursion.
Hezbollah’s spokesman Muhammad Afif dismissed claims of an Israeli invasion, asserting that the group is ready for a direct confrontation with any invading forces.
Hagari explained that Israeli troops are only performing localized raids in southern Lebanon to ensure safety for civilians returning to northern areas, declaring that they will not move into Beirut.
Israel maintains its commitment to continuing strikes against Hezbollah until it is safe for its citizens to return, while Hezbollah promises to keep launching rockets at Israel unless a ceasefire is established in Gaza.
Hagari noted that Israeli forces have conducted several small operations within Lebanon since October 8, coinciding with the start of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He stated that Israeli military personnel had crossed into Lebanon to gather intelligence and dismantle Hezbollah’s military structures and weapon caches.
Recently intensified airstrikes from Israel have reportedly resulted in over 1,000 fatalities in Lebanon, with a significant number being women and children, as well as a mass displacement of residents from affected areas.
The ongoing conflict has drawn international attention, with European nations beginning to evacuate their diplomats and citizens from Lebanon amidst escalating hostilities.