Iran has launched missiles into Israel, the Israeli military says.The attack – in retaliation for Israel’s campaign against the Hezbollah group in Lebanon – marks a significant escalation in the conflict.Nearly 200 missiles were launched, according to Israeli army radio. Warning sirens sounded in Jerusalem shortly after 5.30pm UK time and explosions were heard.The Israeli military said all civilians were in bomb shelters as the rockets were fired.Israel-Lebanon latest: Follow live updates
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Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel. Pic: Reuters
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Pic: Reuters
Major developments include:• Explosions heard in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem• Missiles seen flying over central Jordan• Heavy continuous gunfire heard in Beirut• Four killed, seven wounded in shooting in JaffaWitnesses told Reuters they saw dozens of missiles flying over central Jordan and the country’s state news agency soon announced the temporary closure of its airspace.The Jordanian Army appealed to its citizens to stay in their homes for their safety.Window-shaking explosions were heard in Tel Aviv and near Jerusalem, though it was not initially clear whether the noise was from missiles landing, being intercepted by Israeli defences, or both.
Take offs and landings at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport were suspended at around 6pm UK time, Israeli army radio said. An hour later, authorities said they were preparing to reopen the airport.The attack from Iran was expected and orders to shelter were sent to Israelis’ mobile phones and broadcast on national television earlier today.
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People take shelter during an air raid siren in central Israel. Pic: Reuters
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Pic: Reuters
Citizens were given permission to leave designated protected spaces at around 6.30pm UK time.An Israeli spokesman said this evening that officials are so far not aware of any injuries from the missiles.
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Rockets seen from Tel Aviv. Pic: Reuters
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Projectiles seen from southern Lebanon. Pic: Reuters
Meanwhile, an Israeli military spokesman said the attack will have consequences – and Iran has already vowed to respond to any retaliation.Iran’s UN Mission said in a social media post that if Israel “should dare to respond or commit further acts of malevolence, a subsequent and crushing response will ensue”.Its Revolutionary Guards also warned that any retaliation will spark a “more crushing and ruinous” response from Tehran, Iranian state TV reported.
‘It appears to be a far larger Iranian attack than in April’
Middle East correspondent Alistair Bunkall phoned in to explain what is going on where he is on the side of a road in Tel Aviv.
He witnessed a “huge amount of activity in the air above us” and said it was hard to distinguish between incoming missiles and ones launched by Israel to intercept.
“It appears to be a far larger attack than April,” he said.
Iran appears to have fired ballistic missiles this time, which take 10 to 12 minutes to reach Israel.
Back in April it was drones – much slower and easier to intercept.
“A lot of people” were out in the open air as the rockets were above, Bunkall said.
Some had decided to continue their journeys home, while others tried to “get to the side of the road and take some cover, whether that’s under a bridge or in a lay-by somewhere”.
A senior Iranian official said its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was in a secure location.Sky News understands Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the King of Jordan, Abdullah II.
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Sirens heard over Tel Aviv
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Earlier today, the US warned that Iran was getting ready to launch the attack and Israelis were subsequently told to “stay close to a protected space”.An unnamed government official told Sky’s partner network NBC News that the US was helping Israel defend itself, and warned that a direct military attack on Israel would have “severe consequences” for Iran.
The warning came as Israel’s military said its paratroopers and commandos were engaged in fighting with Iran-backed Hezbollah militants after launching “limited, localised and targeted raids” against the armed group in Lebanon.Iran previously launched a drone and missile barrage against Israel in April, but most projectiles did not reach their targets.