Update published October 1 at 5:30 p.m.: The night has faded quietly in Israel following a missile attack by Iran earlier Tuesday evening.
The first wave of the attack is presumed to be over, and Israeli resident have been allowed to leave their bomb shelters. However, they have been cautioned to remain close by in case a second wave of attacks should occur.
Iran fired nearly 200 ballistic missiles during the attack, according to U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. Most of the missiles were intercepted, but there were “a few hits,” Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari told reporters.
Several persons were injured in the attack, and at least one civilian death has been reported. However, officials have said the attack was largely ineffective, per The Washington Post.
President Joe Biden said at a press conference that the success of the defensive operation is a “testament to the Israeli military capability and U.S. military. It is also a testament to intensive planning between the United States and Israel to anticipate and defend against the brazen attack.”
Update published October 1 at 1:40 p.m.: Iran’s anticipated airstrike against Israel has begun.
VIDEO provided by CNBC shows dozens of missiles lighting up the night sky above Tel Aviv, some exploding in the distance, as air raid sirens wail in the background. U.S. officials have predicted that Iran will send between 240 to 250 missiles into Iran in two waves, targeting four different military installations in the nation.
All civilians have been moved to bomb shelters for their protection.
In the United States, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are reported to be in a closed-door meeting with the national security team to discuss the U.S. response to the airstrike.
The Dallas Express will provide further updates as they become available.
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The White House announced Tuesday morning that the U.S. is preparing to help defend Israel against a ballistic missile attack that it believes Iran is planning to launch imminently.
“The United States has indications that Iran is preparing to imminently launch a ballistic missile attack against Israel. 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,” a senior White House spokesperson said in a prepared statement.
Shortly after the announcement, Israeli military officials said they had not yet identified an aerial threat. Israeli military planes are “scanning the sky” for signs of an imminent attack, according to Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Daniel Hagari, as CNN reported.
Hagari added, “We are on peak alert both on the defensive and the defensive.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation by video, declaring that Israel is in the throes of a “campaign against Iran’s axis of evil.” He urged citizens to “stand together” and to “strictly obey the directives of the frontline commands — it saves lives,” CNN reported.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that the U.S. “is committed to Israel’s defense.”
The U.S. took steps over the weekend to increase its military presence in the Middle East region. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin ordered the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its destroyers to remain in the area and added extra air-support capabilities. The U.S. is also doubling the number of fighter planes it has in the region, and more troops have been placed on standby, according to Politico.
The anticipated attack is expected to be similar in scope to the attack that Iran launched against Israel in April. During that attack, the U.S. helped Israel intercept the majority of drones and missiles that were launched in its direction.
The U.S. Embassy in Israel issued an alert on Tuesday, advising all U.S. government personnel and their family members to “shelter in place until further notice” due to the “current security situation,” CNN reported.
