'At place & time we decide': Israel vows retaliation after Iran launches ballistic missiles salvo

Israel’s military on Tuesday intercepted a large number of missiles fired by Iran at the country, the army spokesman said, adding that there were a few “hits” during the barrage.

“We have carried out a large number of interceptions. There were a few hits in the centre and other areas in the south of the country,” Israeli army spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said.

Iran fired at least 180 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday in retaliation for Israel’s campaign against Tehran’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon, according to reports.

Alarms sounded across Israel and explosions could be heard in Jerusalem and the Jordan River valley after Israelis piled into bomb shelters. Reporters on state television lay flat on the ground during live broadcasts.

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Israeli army radio said nearly 200 missiles had been launched into Israel from Iran. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said Iran had launched tens of missiles at Israel, and that if Israel retaliated Tehran’s response would be “more crushing and ruinous”.

US President Joe Biden ordered the military to “aid Israel’s defence” and shoot down Iranian missiles, the White House said.

While Iran-backed groups across the region had already been drawn into the Gaza war, sparked by Palestinian group Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, Tehran had largely refrained from direct attacks on its regional foe.

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With inputs from agencies.