Israelis have been told they are free to leave bomb shelters after seeking safety during a missile strike from Iran.
In an attack that had been anticipated by officials, nearly 200 missiles were launched towards Israel earlier this evening, according to the country’s army radio.
Warning sirens sounded in Jerusalem shortly after 5.30pm UK time and explosions were soon heard.
The attack, in retaliation for Israel’s campaign against the Hezbollah group in Lebanon, marks a significant escalation in the conflict.
Israel has vowed to retaliate to the attack – and Iran has already said it will respond to any further escalation.
The Israeli military said all civilians were in bomb shelters as the rockets were fired.
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Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel. Pic: Reuters
Pic: Reuters
Major developments include:
• Explosions heard in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem
• Missiles seen flying over central Jordan
• Heavy continuous gunfire heard in Beirut
• Eight killed in shooting in Jaffa
Witnesses told Reuters they saw dozens of missiles flying over central Jordan and the country’s state news agency soon announced the temporary closure of its airspace.
The Jordanian Army appealed to its citizens to stay in their homes for their safety.
Window-shaking explosions were heard in Tel Aviv and near Jerusalem, though it was not initially clear whether the noise was from missiles landing, being intercepted by Israeli defences, or both.
Take offs and landings at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport were suspended at around 6pm UK time, Israeli army radio said. An hour later, authorities said they were preparing to reopen the airport.
The attack from Iran was expected and orders to shelter were sent to Israelis’ mobile phones and broadcast on national television earlier today.
People take shelter during an air raid siren in central Israel. Pic: Reuters
Pic: Reuters
People take cover on the side of the road in Shoresh, Israel. Pic: AP
Citizens were given permission to leave designated protected spaces at around 6.30pm UK time.
Elsewhere in Tel Aviv, eight people were killed by two suspects who opened fire in Jaffa, a mixed Arab-Jewish neighbourhood in the south of the city, Israeli media reported.
Israeli police said the incident was a suspected “terror” shooting.
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Sky team take cover near Israel-Lebanon border
Iran’s state TV has claimed 80% of the missiles hit their targets while an Israeli spokesman has said officials there are so far not aware of any injuries from the missiles.
Rockets seen from Tel Aviv. Pic: Reuters
Projectiles seen from southern Lebanon. Pic: Reuters
Israel warns of consequences – and Iran promises ‘crushing’ response
Meanwhile, an Israeli military spokesman said the attack will have consequences – and Iran has already vowed to respond to any retaliation.
Iran’s UN Mission said in a social media post that if Israel “should dare to respond or commit further acts of malevolence, a subsequent and crushing response will ensue”.
Its Revolutionary Guards also warned that any retaliation will spark a “more crushing and ruinous” response from Tehran, Iranian state TV reported.
A senior Iranian official said its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was in a secure location.
Sky News understands Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the King of Jordan, Abdullah II.
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Sirens heard over Tel Aviv
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Earlier today, the US warned that Iran was getting ready to launch the attack and Israelis were subsequently told to “stay close to a protected space”.
An unnamed government official told Sky’s partner network NBC News that the US was helping Israel defend itself, and warned that a direct military attack on Israel would have “severe consequences” for Iran.
The warning came as Israel’s military said its paratroopers and commandos were engaged in fighting with Iran-backed Hezbollah militants after launching “limited, localised and targeted raids” against the armed group in Lebanon.
Iran previously launched a drone and missile barrage against Israel in April, but most projectiles did not reach their targets.
