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Iraqis celebrate in the street, after an IRGC attack on Israel, in Basra, Iraq, on October 1, 2024. (Reuters)
As Iran launched a massive missile attack on Israel, the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv on Tuesday warned its citizens to be vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel to the country.
The Indian mission said it was closely monitoring the situation amid tensions in the Middle East. The warning comes after a similar advisory was issued last month urging caution for Indian nationals living in Lebanon.
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‘Stay alert’
“Due to the current situation in the region, all Indians in Israel are advised to remain vigilant and follow security measures as advised by the local authorities ( said the Indian mission in Tel Aviv. “Please be careful, avoid unnecessary travel inside the country and stay close to shelters. The embassy is monitoring the situation and is in constant contact with the Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of all the people of our country.
Fear of a wider war
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised that arch-enemy Iran would pay for its missile attacks against Israel on Tuesday, and Tehran said any retaliation would be met with “massive destruction”, raising fears of a wider war.
As Washington expressed its full support for its long-time ally Israel, Iran’s military said direct intervention by Israel’s supporters against Tehran would provoke a “strong attack” by Iran on its “bases and interests” in the region. “Iran made a big mistake tonight – and it will pay,” Netanyahu said at the start of a political security meeting, according to a statement.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said the attack was in retaliation for Israel’s killing of military leaders and violence in Lebanon against the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah in Gaza. Fears that Iran and the US will enter a regional war have grown as Israel has attacked Lebanon in the past two weeks, including the start of a ground campaign there on Monday, and its year-long conflict in the Gaza Strip.
180 ballistic missiles
In its attack on Tuesday, Iran fired more than 180 ballistic missiles at Israel, Israel said. Alarms sounded throughout Israel and explosions were heard in Jerusalem and the Jordan Valley. Israelis huddled in bomb shelters and journalists on state television lay on the floor during live broadcasts.
The Iranian military used hypersonic Fattah missiles for the first time, and 90% of their missiles successfully hit their targets in Israel, the Revolutionary Guards said.
Israel’s air defenses were activated and several missiles were intercepted “by Israel and the defense coalition led by the United States,” said Israeli Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari in a video on X, adding: “The attack on Iran is a serious and dangerous escalation .”
(According to agency input)
