Iran launched multiple waves of missiles at northern Israel on Sunday, in the first direct attack, since a ceasefire was agreed in April, according to Israeli officials.
The Israel Defence Forces said most of the missiles were intercepted by air defence systems. Israelis were briefly ordered into shelters but have since been told they can leave. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
The strike follows Israeli airstrikes earlier Sunday on what it described as Hezbollah targets in southern Beirut. That operation prompted threats of retaliation from Tehran.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the barrage marked “the beginning of a full week of continuous strikes.”
IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin described Iran’s action as a “grave mistake” in a brief statement.
The White House confirmed that US President Donald Trump has been briefed on the developments. Fox News reported that Trump urged Iran to de-escalate, saying: “That’s enough. Get back to the table.” The network also reported that Trump expressed displeasure over Israel’s earlier strike on Beirut.
Following the launches, Iraq and Syria closed their airspace as a safety precaution, AFP reported, after Iranian missiles crossed their territory toward targets in Israel.
The April ceasefire had halted weeks of direct exchanges between Iran and Israel. Sunday’s escalation raises concerns of renewed regional conflict.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
