DRAMATIC footage has caught the moment Iran launched 102 ballistic missiles at Israel in a revenge rocket blitz for the invasion of Lebanon.
Scores of missiles were seen flying over Tel Aviv and Jordan’s capital Amman as air sirens rang out amid fears of an all-out war in the Middle East.
Footage showed the missiles raining down over Tel Aviv
AFPSirens blared as the rockets arrived to hit the country[/caption]
ReutersIsrael’s Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel[/caption]
ReutersA rocket flies in the sky, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel[/caption]
ReutersThe IDF said the missiles came from Iran[/caption]
A man holds children as people take cover during the blitz
ReutersPeople take shelter during an air raid siren[/caption]
Live footage from Israel shows the ballistic missiles being shot down by Israeli air defences over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Residents of the cities were seen scrambling to take cover.
Deafening explosions have also been heard in the Jordan Valley, which sits on the border between Jordan and the West Bank.
Military experts say the attack seems to be “far larger” than the April attack when Iran launched more than 320 missiles and drones at Israel.
The Israel Defence Forces said at least 10 million civilians are the targets of tonight’s attack on Israel.
It said in a statement: “A short while ago, missiles were launched from Iran towards the State of Israel.
“You are instructed to remain alert and precisely follow the Home Front Command’s instructions.”
An Israeli military spokesperson said the attack was serious and will have consequences.
Iran confirmed it launched “tens” of missiles in the blitz and threatened to launch a second strike if Israel responded.
Israel earlier today alerted the public to the likelihood of a blitz from the Islamic Republic.
A senior White House official said the US is actively supporting Israeli defensive preparations.
They threatened: “A direct military attack from Iran against Israel will carry severe consequences for Iran.”
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Israeli officials previously said the anticipated Iranian attack could include drones and rockets, as well as ballistic missiles.
But diplomatic sources warned that Israel is likely to strike back on a much bigger scale if attacked again triggering a potentially catastrophic regional conflict.
It comes as Israel launched its ground offensive Operation “Northern Arrows” targeting Hezbollah strongholds following waves of devastating airstrikes.
Heavy fighting continued to rage in southern Lebanon today as 25,000 Israeli troops stepped up their ground war to smash Hezbollah rocket sites.
Israeli commanders said the invasion would be “limited, localised and targeted” and would not involve an occupation.
But clashes intensified through the night with Hezbollah launching rocket and artillery barrages toward Israeli troops massing on the border.
Terror troops responded to the onslaught by launching early hours rocket and artillery barrages against the border town of Metula inside Israel.
Hezbollah also said it targeted Mossad’s headquarters in Glilot near Tel Aviv.
t said it “launched salvoes of Fadi 4 rockets at the Glilot base of the military intelligence’s unit 8200 and the Mossad headquarters located on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.”
Defending Israel’s position, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called for continued operations to “crush the terrorist organization” to allow residents who have fled Northern Israel to return home safely.
He said: “The decisions we made in the last few days are important, correct and necessary.
“At the same time, this is the time not to stop, [we must] continue doing everything, with all our might.
“I pray for the success of the IDF soldiers who are currently fighting in difficult conditions in southern Lebanon; the people of Israel stand behind them.”
By dawn, loud booms could be heard across the frontier as an Israeli attack helicopter was seen launching rockets toward enemy positions.
Israel’s battle-hardened 98th Division was leading the onslaught after being moved north from fighting Hezbollah allies Hamas in Gaza.
The force – believed to number at least 25,000 – included crack paratroopers, commandos and engineers and were being guided by special forces teams who identified targets.
AFPThis picture shows projectiles being intercepted by Israel above Tel Aviv[/caption]
ReutersProjectiles fly in the sky after Iran fired a salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel amid ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces[/caption]