Iran Launches Missile Barrage at Israel, Raising Fears of Wider Conflict

Iran launched dozens of missiles at Israel on Tuesday, claiming the attack was retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and others, CNN reports.

The assault sparked widespread concern that the conflict in the Middle East could spiral into a full-blown regional war.

CNN teams across Israel witnessed the missiles piercing the sky as sirens blared across the country. The Israeli military confirmed at least one fatality and multiple injuries. The IDF’s spokesperson, Nadav Shoshani, confirmed a Palestinian was killed in Jericho during the attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed swift and decisive retribution.

“Iran made a big mistake tonight – and it will pay for it. The regime in Iran does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and our determination to retaliate against our enemies.”

The IDF estimated that Iran fired 180 “projectiles” at Israel, with many intercepted. However, several missiles reached their targets, causing damage in Israel and the occupied West Bank.

The incident comes amidst an already volatile situation. Israel has been engaged in a fierce conflict with Hamas in Gaza since last Octoober, leaving thousands of Palestinians dead and much of Gaza in ruins.

Furthermore, tensions have been simmering with Hezbollah in Lebanon, with cross-border fire exchanged throughout the past year. This latest attack followed Israel’s announcement of a “limited and localized” ground operation in Lebanon, a move viewed by Iran as a major escalation.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the missile attack, saying it was a response to the killing of Nasrallah and others.

The White House had earlier issued a warning about a potential Iranian missile attack, raising anxieties about a full-scale war.