IDF vows to strike heavily across Middle East after Iranian assault

Some 181 ballistic missiles were launched onto Israel on Tuesday night by Iran, the Jerusalem Post understands, leading to 1,800 rocket sirens sounding across the country. 

A Palestinian worker from Gaza was reportedly killed as a result of fragments of rockets that fell in the city of Jericho in the West Bank, according to Israeli media.

Magen David Adom's CEO Eli Bin announced that there was a direct hit to a building in north Tel Aviv on George Wise Street. MDA confirmed that three people had been wounded by falls in Tel Aviv.

A strike also hit a home in Tel Sheva, according to Maariv.

Multiple other falls were recorded in Tel Aviv, Dimona, Nabatim, Hora, Hod Hasharon, Beersheba, and Rishon Lezion.

Israeli air defenses shot down dozens of missiles that flew over Syria, Syrian army sources told Reuters. 

Video footage from KAN showed falling fragments of interceptors and missiles in the Dead Sea.

תיעוד: נפילת שברי מיירטים וטילים בים המלח@rubih67
(צילום: יובל אפריאט) pic.twitter.com/ojN9RY8hGA

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) October 1, 2024

Iran exercised "self-defense" against Israel, and its action is concluded unless the "Israeli regime decides to invite further retaliation," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a post on X/Twitter early on Wednesday.

Tehran launched a salvo of missiles on Tuesday against Israel in retaliation for the killing of several leaders of Iran-aligned armed groups.

Hundreds of ballistic missiles were launched at Israel on Tuesday night by Iran, leading to thousands of rocket sirens sounding across the country. 

Shortly after the attack, Iran warned it would strike Israel again and potentially American targets if Israel responded to the attack.

Armed Iranian-aligned groups in Iraq warned that US bases there could be a target.

A missile unveiled by Iran is launched in an unknown location in Iran in this picture received by Reuters on August 20, 2020 (credit: WANA NEWS AGENCY/REUTERS)

“Should the Zionist regime dare to respond or commit further acts of malevolence, a subsequent and crushing response will ensue,” Iran’s mission to the United Nations wrote on X/Twitter.

Israel had proven its capabilities and would choose when and where to exact its price, Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi said on Tuesday night following the Iranian attack on Israel.

Following a situation assessment, he said, "We proved our capability to prevent the enemy from succeeding by combining exemplary civil behavior and a very strong air defense system."

"We will choose when to exact the price and prove our precise and unexpected attack capabilities in accordance with the will of the political sphere."

דובר צה״ל לתקשורת הזרה: ״אנחנו נחליט את אופן התגובה - מתי, איפה ואיך״ pic.twitter.com/UfS4llWBFq

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) October 1, 2024

Jordan allowed the US to fly and shoot down Iranian missiles within the country's airspace, a US official and a senior Jordanian official told NBC News.

The Jordanian official clarified that Jordan would do the same for "any other missile flying over our airspace."

Additionally, the Pentagon said that two US Navy destroyers fired about a dozen interceptors against Iranian missiles aimed at Israel.

Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder told reporters that no other US military assets were used to shoot down the missiles, which were all fired from inside Iran.

Iran did not inform the United States before the attack against Israel on Tuesday, according to the Pentagon. 

Jordan allowed the US to fly and shoot down Iranian missiles within the country's airspace, a US official and a senior Jordanian official told NBC News.

The Jordanian official clarified that Jordan would do the same for "any other missile flying over our airspace."

IDF identified and shot at a group of suspects observed moving toward Israeli forces operating in central Gaza, the IDF said Tuesday night.

There were no casualties among Israeli forces, and the incident is under control, the IDF said.

Israeli and American forces jointly defended the Jewish state against over 200 launched Iranian missiles in an attack that marked a “significant escalation’ of regional violence, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters in Washington.

Sullivan said on Tuesday that Iran's attack on Israel appeared to have been defeated, although President Biden's administration was still monitoring a "fluid" situation.

Sullivan said the administration was tracking the reported death of a Palestinian civilian in the West Bank.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Israel’s Home Front Command deployed its new "Personal Message" missile alert system for the first time under fire Tuesday evening, following an unprecedented missile barrage from Iran. The system, based on Cell Broadcast technology, sends emergency messages directly to mobile phones in targeted areas without requiring users to download an app or register.

Unveiled in August, the system became operational during the massive missile attack from Iran, which saw over 200 missiles launched toward Israel. Tehran issued a stern warning, stating: "If the Zionist regime responds, it will face heavy attacks."

The "Personal Message" system greatly enhances Israel’s emergency readiness by providing precise, real-time alerts. Its independence from cellular networks and GPS means that it can continue to deliver life-saving instructions swiftly during crises, ensuring citizens have the best chance to respond to missile threats effectively.