Tel Aviv [Israel], October 2: AFP news agency reported on October 2 that Israel carried out airstrikes on the Lebanese capital Beirut that morning, hours after Iran launched a series of missiles at Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it was carrying out strikes against Hezbollah in Beirut. Earlier on October 1, the Lebanese Health Ministry said Israeli strikes had killed at least 55 people in Lebanon.
The attack came hours after Iran launched more than 200 missiles at Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed on October 1 that Iran had made a big mistake. The Israeli military said on October 2 that its air force would continue to strike hard across the Middle East.
Reuters reported on October 1 that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ( IRGC ) said it used Fattah missiles to target military bases and that 90% of the missiles fired at Israel hit their targets. Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that its air defense system had intercepted most of the Iranian missiles.
Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari stressed that the Iranian attack was a serious and dangerous escalation. He added that the military had not recorded any casualties.
US officials say more than 200 missiles were launched at Israel, while the IDF claims Tehran fired more than 180 ballistic missiles.
"Iran made a big mistake tonight and they will pay the price. Whoever attacks us, we will attack them," Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said at a security meeting on October 1.
The IRGC warned that if Tel Aviv responded, it would carry out more severe attacks on Israel. The IRGC said Iran's attack was "in accordance with the UN Charter." Iran's Foreign Ministry said its operations were defensive in nature and targeted only Israeli military and security facilities.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on October 1 that US destroyers had coordinated with Israel to intercept missiles from Iran. US President Joe Biden said Tehran's attack was ineffective and expressed the US's full support for Israel. The White House affirmed that Iran would face serious consequences.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
