Iran fired approximately 200 missiles into Israel today, prompting Israel’s military to order citizens to take shelter – but Benjamin Netanyahu has remained defiant tonight
This chilling image captures the booster section of an Iranian missile embedded in the ground in Israel tonight.
The missile was one of approximately 200 arrowed into Israel by Iran today in reprisal for its invasion of Lebanon. The Israeli military has ordered citizens to shelter in fear of further attacks as air sirens continue to go off into the evening.
This picture shows the huge weapon wedged into the ground, reportedly in Tel Sheva, which is in the southern of Israel and around 30 miles from Gaza. The harrowing photograph has been widely shared on social media tonight, alongside information about Israel’s Iron Dome top-end defence system.
The tech, introduced in Israel in 2011, has intercepted and shot down several projectiles by using a number of radars which detect Israel-bound rockets. These then go on to intercept them. Each battery uses between three to four and has capacity to fire 20 missiles. However, large enough attacks can lead to some ballistic missiles filtering though and hitting targets in Israel.
Yet, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister, shared his defiant response to the tension. Tonight, he said: “Citizens of Israel, we are in the midst of a campaign against Iran’s axis of evil. Together we will fight and together we will win.” Mr Netanyahu has also reportedly spoken with Keir Starmer and their Lebanese counterpart, Najib Mikati, this evening.
Earlier today, a series of window-shaking explosions were heard in Tel Aviv and near Jerusalem, though it was not immediately clear whether the sounds were from missiles landing or being intercepted by Israeli defences, or both.
Israel and the United States have warned there would be severe consequences in the event of an attack on Israel from Iran, which backs the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris monitored the attack on Israel from the White House Situation Room.
Israeli army spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the country’s air defence system was fully operational, detecting and intercepting threats. “However, the defense is not hermetic,” he said.
Orders to shelter in place were sent to Israelis’ mobile phones and announced on national television. Iran took responsibility for launching dozens of ballistic missiles at Israel. The claim was made in a statement read aloud on state television.
In its statement, Iran referenced Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Revolutionary Guard Gen. Abbas Nilforushan, both killed in an Israeli airstrike last week in Beirut. It also mentioned Ismail Haniyeh, a top leader in Hamas who was assassinated in Tehran in a suspected Israeli attack in July. It warned this attack represented only a “first wave,” without elaborating.