Iran fired roughly 180 ballistic missiles at Israel today, forcing millions of Israelis into bomb shelters and raising the likelihood of an all-out conflict between two of the most powerful militaries in the Middle East.
The barrage began just hours after Israel invaded southern Lebanon to pursue Hezbollah, a close ally of Iran. Many of the missiles were intercepted by Israel’s air defense system, while some fell in central and southern Israel, Israeli officials said. One death, of a Palestinian man in the West Bank, has so far been reported.
U.S. officials said that American naval destroyers helped Israel shoot down several incoming missiles. Based on initial reports, Israel “effectively defeated this attack,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
The region is now on edge, waiting for Israel’s next step. Israeli officials said the country would respond in a way and at a time of its choosing, and Iran said it would fire more missiles if Israel counterattacked. American officials said the U.S. would help defend Israel and warned that a direct attack would “carry severe consequences.”
Separately, at least six people were killed and several others injured in a shooting in Tel Aviv that officials called a terror attack.