Iran has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel as civilians rushed to shelter sites across the country.
Videos on social media showed missiles or shrapnel hitting Tel Aviv and other population centers.
Impact sites have been reported in Tel Aviv, near the Dead Sea, as well as in the south and in Sharon.
Sirens flared Tuesday afternoon as Iranian missiles targeted central and southern Israel in Tehran’s first direct attack on the Jewish state since April, according to the Israeli military.
According to reports, Iran was planning to use only ballistic missiles, which are capable of reaching Israel in 12 minutes.
Videos quickly began circulating on social media of missiles or fragments soaring over Israel, with several streaks of light spotted crashing in Tel Aviv.
“All Israeli civilians are in bomb shelters as rockets from Iran are fired at Israel,” the IDF said in a statement at 7:30 p.m. local time.
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have convened in the White House to discuss the Iranian attack and America’s defense of the Jewish State.
“This morning, @VP and I convened our national security team to discuss Iranian plans to launch an imminent missile attack against Israel,” Biden wrote on X.
The US has moved additional military assets, including fighter jets, to the region — and vowed to help defend the Jewish state against the attack.
“We are actively supporting defensive preparations to defend Israel against this attack,” the official said. “A direct military attack from Iran against Israel will carry severe consequences for Iran,” an official said.
In April, Tehran fired more than 330 drones and missiles against Israel — nearly all of which were intercepted, with help from the US and Jordan.
If they use only ballistic missiles this time, it would give the US and its allies less time to intercept the attack, a US official told Axios.
Ballistic missiles also fly higher and faster and are much harder to shoot down.
