…Tension as Region Braces for Israel’s Retaliations
The Middle East tilted towards a full-blown war on Tuesday as Iran launched hundreds of missiles at Israel in retaliation for recent strategic strikes by the Jewish state on Iranian proxies of Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthi Rebels in Yemen and other parts of the region.
Sources said sirens blazed across major cities in south and central Israel on Tuesday, as nearly 200 ballistic missiles rained down on the tiny Jewish state. It was the second time Iran would attack Israel after a similar attack in April
Israel has vowed retaliation, stating, “We have plans (to attack) at the place and time we decide.”
The United States of America, Israel’s major ally, had earlier warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of indications that Iran was preparing to “imminently launch ballistic missile attacks against Israel.”
The Israel military command and its secret service, MOSAD, had launched a coordinated blitz of attacks at Hezbollah, killing notable figures, including Hassan Nasrallah, the terrorist group’s leader, and taking out other top commanders, who could have taken his position.
Israel also took out Hezbollah diplomatic leader, Ismael Haniyeh, who was killed in Tehran, while under Iran’s protection, a hit that shook the region and raised concern on Iran’s reprisal attack.
Israel also carried movie-like attacks on Hezbollah’s members by blowing out their pagers and walkie-talkies, spreading fears and raising questions about the survival of the Iran-funded group.
The Israel Defence Force, IDF, said its missile defence system (Iron Dome) made “many interceptions”, but said some of the missiles landed in central and southern Israel.
A representative for Magen David Adom (MDA) said emergency medical technicians and paramedics were deployed to search “several sites where reports of rocket strikes have been received”.
“Currently, there are no reports of injuries from the fire towards Israel, except for two light injuries from shrapnel in the Tel Aviv area and some minor injuries nationwide while moving to safe spaces, as well as cases of anxiety,” the agency stated.
Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, SAID, “There was a serious attack on us, and there will be serious consequences.”
He added this was not the first time Israel had faced a threat from Iran.
American media network, CNN, said there were “celebratory gunfire and fireworks on Tuesday evening as word spread of Iran’s huge missile attack on Israel”.
Jordan’s military said in a statement that “hundreds of Iranian missiles were launched toward Israel,” urging its citizens to remain at home “for their safety and the safety of their families.”
Meanwhile, the Iranian military had vowed further crushing attacks if Israel retaliates.
But there are concerns that Israel could launch direct attacks into Iran, particularly targeting the Gulf state’s nuclear facilities.
Israel had refrained from hitting the facilities following similar missile attacks in April but had left indications that it knew where they are.
There is now fears that the war could spiral out of control if Israel decides to take out the nuclear facilities.
