I’D just ordered a coffee in a roadside cafe on my way back from Israel’s northern war zone when the alert flashed up on my phone.
It read: “Iran is preparing an imminent ballistic missile attack against Israel. Please take cover as soon as possible.”
The Sun’s Nick Parker fled to a bomb shelter when the missiles arrived
AlamyIranian missiles rained down on Israel Tuesday[/caption]
AFPMost missiles were intercepted by Israeli anti-air defences, reports said[/caption]
I was sitting in a pizza restaurant in a much-rocketed area north of the coastal port of Haifa when the warning pinged in my pocket.
Moments later I saw other diners picking up their phones as warnings reached them but was impressed by their stoicism as they carried on munching on their margaritas.
These were people who have endured daily rocket attacks from Hezbollah for nearly a year but even they began to shuffle in their seats as more warnings appeared on their mobile security apps.
This was clearly something much bigger than the daily Hezbollah barrage from the north.
And moments later we were jammed in the door as it was confirmed that more than a hundred Iranian ballistic missiles flying at 14 times the speed of sound were on their way.
This was confirmed to be only the first of several waves of attacks heading out way.
We ran across the road into a concrete shelter where English speakers told me to expect to be stuck there for some time as I tapped out my story using the glow of my laptop screen.
Then moments later the first booms split the air high above as Iron Dome interceptors engaged the incoming rockets.
I – probably very foolishly – took a sneak peek into the sky outside and watched trails of red rockets racing up to meet the missiles in a spectacular but potentially deadly firework display.
It comes as…
Iran launches missile blitz at Israel as civilians rush to bomb shelters & sirens blare
Up to ten people shot dead in ‘terror attack’ in Israeli city Tel Aviv
Elite IDF paratroopers & commando units launch ground invasion of Lebanon
Israel vows to ‘crush Hezbollah’ after launching ‘Northern Arrows’ invasion
‘Fierce’ clashes erupt between IDF troops and Hezbollah terrorists
Israel declares no-go zone for Lebanese civilians south of the Litani River
UK Government charters emergency flight out of Lebanon for fleeing Brits
Hezbollah was on cusp of launching chilling Oct 7-style attack before special forces struck
But scary spectaculars like this have become a way of life for the people of northern Israel – who clearly trust the boffins whose rocket wizardry had saved their lives yet again.
It remained unclear whether Iran’s terror masters had inflicted death or destruction as they attempted to decimate their hated enemy.
And this may be just the first of many terrifying tests for the people of Israel, their enemies and the millions caught in the crossfire as the threat of a catastrophic war looms.
Dan CharityParker saw Israeli tanks massing on the border before the invasion[/caption]