On October 1, Iran launched its largest-ever ballistic missile attack against Israel in response to Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon, targeting the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group. Iran claimed the attack, which focused on military and security sites, was an act of self-defense following Israeli actions in Gaza and Lebanon.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi justified the missile strike under Article 51 of the UN Charter, emphasizing that Iran’s retaliation would cease unless Israel provoked further violence. The attack also followed the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah by Israeli forces.
Israel’s air defenses successfully intercepted the majority of the estimated 180 missiles fired by Iran. However, some missiles hit central and southern Israel, causing minor injuries and damaging property. In the West Bank, a Palestinian civilian was killed by debris from a missile.
Iran Launches Largest-Ever Missile Attack on Israel Amid Escalating Tensions with Hezbollah
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Iran’s actions, labeling the missile strike as a grave mistake and promising retaliation. The U.S., Israel’s key ally, joined in condemning the attack, with President Joe Biden and senior defense officials warning of severe consequences for Iran.
Amid this heightened tension, a separate terrorist attack occurred in Tel Aviv, where six people were killed and nine others injured in a shooting and stabbing incident at a light rail station. The two attackers were shot and killed by civilians and inspectors using their firearms.
While no group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, it added to the already volatile situation following the missile strikes. This event has further complicated the security situation in Israel as it deals with both external missile threats and internal attacks.
In Iran, the missile strike was met with public celebrations, with crowds in cities such as Mashhad and Tehran rallying in support of Hezbollah. State media broadcast images of people waving Hezbollah flags and honoring Nasrallah, demonstrating widespread approval of the attack.
These scenes contrasted sharply with the international response, where world leaders, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, condemned the missile strike and urged both parties to agree to a ceasefire to prevent further escalation.
As the conflict deepened, Israel launched a series of targeted ground raids in Lebanon, engaging in heavy fighting with Hezbollah forces. Israeli military officials described the operations as limited but precise, aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s military infrastructure.
The ongoing clashes, combined with the missile attacks, have sparked international concerns about the potential for a broader regional conflict. Global leaders are calling for immediate diplomacy and de-escalation to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.
