TEL AVIV — Israel’s military said Wednesday air defenses were activated after it detected missiles heading toward the country from Iran. “A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat,” the military said on its official Telegram account. AFP journalists reported air raid sirens sounding in Jerusalem and the sound of explosions in the distance. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Iran launched about 300 ballistic missiles at Israel. Nearly half of them, according to the military, carried cluster-type payloads that release several smaller explosives over a large area. Israeli officials said air defense systems intercepted most of the missiles fired on Tuesday. One missile with a heavy warhead landed in an open area outside Beit Shemesh, near Jerusalem. Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency services reported no immediate injuries following the missile fire, but said its teams were treating “a small number of people who were injured on their way to protected areas.” Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 reported several injuries from the Iranian strikes near Tel Aviv. The missile attacks came after the United States and Israel carried out strikes inside Iran. Tehran responded with waves of missiles and drones aimed at targets across the region, including Israel. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they targeted a satellite communications center in Haifa, along with military bases in Israel, and US targets elsewhere in the Middle East including Iraqi Kurdistan and the US Fifth Fleet naval base in Bahrain. “We will continue our sustained attacks with purpose and power, and in this war, we contemplate nothing but the enemy’s complete surrender,” the Guards said on their website Sepah News. Israeli health officials say the attacks from Iran have killed 12 people and left more than 2,000 injured so far. At the same time, Israel said it carried out fresh airstrikes in Lebanon targeting facilities linked to the Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association, which it says helps finance Hezbollah activities. The Israeli military also said Hassan Salameh, commander of Hezbollah’s Nassar unit, was killed in an Israeli Air Force strike in the Jwaya area. Israel said it had also struck several locations in Iran, including targets in Tehran and Tabriz. The IDF said these included command centers linked to security units, missile launch operations, and Basij force compounds. The conflict is now spreading across the region. Iranian strikes have also targeted US bases, embassies, and energy facilities in Gulf countries. Tensions have also begun affecting global oil flows. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow sea route used for roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil shipments, has seen growing disruption as the crisis deepens. — AgenciesTEL AVIV — Israel’s military said Wednesday air defenses were activated after it detected missiles heading toward the country from Iran. “A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat,” the military said on its official Telegram account. AFP journalists reported air raid sirens sounding in Jerusalem and the sound of explosions in the distance. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Iran launched about 300 ballistic missiles at Israel. Nearly half of them, according to the military, carried cluster-type payloads that release several smaller explosives over a large area. Israeli officials said air defense systems intercepted most of the missiles fired on Tuesday. One missile with a heavy warhead landed in an open area outside Beit Shemesh, near Jerusalem. Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency services reported no immediate injuries following the missile fire, but said its teams were treating “a small number of people who were injured on their way to protected areas.” Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 reported several injuries from the Iranian strikes near Tel Aviv. The missile attacks came after the United States and Israel carried out strikes inside Iran. Tehran responded with waves of missiles and drones aimed at targets across the region, including Israel. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they targeted a satellite communications center in Haifa, along with military bases in Israel, and US targets elsewhere in the Middle East including Iraqi Kurdistan and the US Fifth Fleet naval base in Bahrain. “We will continue our sustained attacks with purpose and power, and in this war, we contemplate nothing but the enemy’s complete surrender,” the Guards said on their website Sepah News. Israeli health officials say the attacks from Iran have killed 12 people and left more than 2,000 injured so far. At the same time, Israel said it carried out fresh airstrikes in Lebanon targeting facilities linked to the Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association, which it says helps finance Hezbollah activities. The Israeli military also said Hassan Salameh, commander of Hezbollah’s Nassar unit, was killed in an Israeli Air Force strike in the Jwaya area. Israel said it had also struck several locations in Iran, including targets in Tehran and Tabriz. The IDF said these included command centers linked to security units, missile launch operations, and Basij force compounds. The conflict is now spreading across the region. Iranian strikes have also targeted US bases, embassies, and energy facilities in Gulf countries. Tensions have also begun affecting global oil flows. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow sea route used for roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil shipments, has seen growing disruption as the crisis deepens. — Agencies
