Iran has launched hundreds of ballistic missiles (Image: MEHR NEWS/AFP via Getty Images)
The Israeli military has confirmed that Iran has launched ballistic missiles at , triggering air raid sirens across the nation.
On Tuesday, the Israeli military reported that Iran had initiated a missile attack and instructed citizens to stay near bomb shelters as alarms blared throughout the country.
Explosions were detected in Tel Aviv and close to Jerusalem. Both and the United States have previously cautioned of severe repercussions if Iran, which supports the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon, were to attack .
According to a US official, the anticipated Iranian attack on could be comparable in magnitude and extent to the assault carried out in April.
The Middle East is on the brink (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
What is a ballistic missile?
A ballistic missile is a rocket-propelled weapon capable of traversing more than 3,400 miles if launched at “intercontinental range”. These rockets can also be deployed at medium-range (620-1,8003,000 miles), or intermediate-range (1,8003,400 miles).
They are frequently harnessed for critical long-distance offensives.
These missiles, capable of housing either atomic or traditional warheads, soar upward on steep trajectories but descend towards their targets with no power or guidance.
How much damage can Iran do?
The IDF said that Iran has launched “more than 100” ballistic missiles at .
The Missile Defence Advocacy Alliance has disclosed that short-range ballistic projectiles could blast a radius exceeding 1km, potentially wreaking havoc on over 77,000 people in densely populated zones.
Tensions in the Middle East have intensified, with possible missile strikes stirring concern amidst worsening hostilities between and Hezbollah. Reports emerged last night that Israeli forces had breeched southern Lebanon’s borders, conducting what they have termed a “limited” operation.
In response to growing international scrutiny, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held steadfast, justifying the incursion into Lebanon.
Barak Ravid from Axios reported Netanyahu claiming: “We are in the midst of a campaign against Iran’s axis of evil. We must stand together. We will stand firm together in the challenging days ahead.”
Simultaneously, Najib Mikati, Prime Minister of Lebanon, sounded the alarm over the nation’s perilous situation, stating Lebanon is being catapulted into “one of the most dangerous phases of its history”. The impact of recent Israeli assaults has been devastating: an estimated 1,000 Lebanese lives lost, around 6,000 injured, and a staggering one million individuals forced out of their homes.
The Gaza Strip continues to be a target of Israeli attacks, with at least 41,638 fatalities and 96,460 injuries reported since October last year. The Hamas-led assault on on October 7 resulted in at least 1,139 deaths, with over 200 individuals taken hostage.