The Israeli military announced on Tuesday, October 1, that Iran launched about 180 missiles against Israel, in what is being viewed as a significant escalation in the region.
According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the missile bombardment was in response to the recent assassinations of Iran-backed terrorist commanders.
“IDF systems have identified approximately 180 missiles fired towards Israeli territory from Iran,” the military said in a statement. A security official confirmed the figure to AFP, emphasizing the scale of the incident.
The missile strike caused shockwaves throughout Israel, with sirens screaming and inhabitants scrambling to bomb bunkers. The IDF later claimed that a considerable number of Iranian missiles had been intercepted, indicating that the immediate threat had passed. “It was decided that it is now permitted to leave protected spaces in all areas across the country,” according to the military.
This is Iran’s second direct strike against Israel, following a missile and drone attack in April in response to an Israeli air strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. Iran’s national news agency, IRNA, stated that the missiles were intended toward Tel Aviv, Israel’s commercial capital, in retaliation for the assassinations of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, both of whom were purportedly targeted by Israeli troops.
The unrest has sparked considerable alarm among the international community, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticizing the escalated bloodshed. “This must stop. “We absolutely need a ceasefire,” Guterres said.
The missile barrage resulted in explosions over Jerusalem, and two persons were lightly hurt by shrapnel in central Israel. Israel closed its airspace and diverted all flights, while neighbors Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan followed suit in an effort to safeguard their airspace from the ongoing violence.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden ordered American armed assets to help Israel’s security, while regional allies gathered in response to the attack.
This recent incident adds another layer of strain to the already explosive Gaza conflict, with Iran-backed organizations increasingly drawn into the fray following Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
