Update: October 1, 2024, 1:00 pm: Earlier today, a suspected terrorist attack in Tel Aviv left eight people dead and at least nine others wounded, with four in critical condition, according to Jewish News Syndicate. Initial reports indicated that two gunmen opened fire at people waiting for a train at a light rail station on Jaffa’s Jerusalem Boulevard before being neutralized by Israeli police. Authorities are still searching for a possible third suspect in the area, and the motive is currently under investigation, though initial suspicions suggest it may be linked to ongoing regional tensions.
Iran Launches Missiles at Israel Amid Tensions
Iran fired dozens of missiles against Israel on Tuesday, which is believed to be a response to the deaths of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders. As reported by Fox News, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) warned citizens to shelter in place and follow instructions as the Jewish State’s Iron Dome anti-missile defense system works to intercept incoming rockets.
“During the defense, we carried out quite a few interceptions,” IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said following the attack. “There are some impacts in the center and areas in the south of the country.”
Although Israel is still assessing the Iranian attack, officials “are unaware of casualties,” Hagari added.
U.S. Forces Defend Against Iranian Missiles
In a statement to Fox News, a U.S. defense official stated that U.S. forces in the region were defending against the Iranian barrage against Israel.
“On accordance with our ironclad commitment to Israel’s security, U.S. forces in the region are currently defending against Iranian-launched missiles targeting Israel,” the official said. “Our forces remain postured to provide additional defensive support and to protect U.S. forces operating in the region.”
Iran’s Missile Attack: Retaliation for Leadership Killings
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps explained that this latest barrage of missiles was done retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut, Lebanon, in an Israeli airstrike late last week and the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July, according to Fox News Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst.
Additionally, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned in a statement released by Iranian state media that if Israel responds to the missile barrage, “it will face crushing attacks.”
Earlier Tuesday morning, a senior White House official told Fox News that Iran was preparing to “imminently” launch a ballistic missile attack against Israel. The decision follows after weeks of Israeli strikes against Tehran’s proxies in the region.
U.S. Warns of Imminent Iranian Missile Attack on Israel
“The United States has indications that Iran is preparing to imminently launch a ballistic missile attack against Israel,” the official said. “We are actively supporting defensive preparations to defend Israel against this attack. A direct military attack from Iran against Israel will carry severe consequences for Iran.”
Meanwhile, another U.S. official earlier told Fox News that the Iranian attack could take place as soon as Tuesday afternoon, saying that the U.S. has seen additional movement of missiles in Iran to prepare for the now “imminent” attack.
The official added that Iran’s missile attack could be similar to the one launched in April against Israel, which had more than 300 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones.
Although the exact scope or size of the attack remains unknown, the official said that Iran has been eager to launch an attack on Israel within 12 to 24 hours since early August following the July 31st assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
