The New York Times quotes three Israeli officials saying the anticipated Iranian attack will include drones and missiles, as well as a US official anticipating ballistic missiles. It says the attack is expected “in the coming hours.”
When Iran attacked Israel in April, ballistic missiles were calculated to take 12 minutes to reach Israel from Iran, cruise missiles to take two hours, and drones some nine hours to reach their target.
The three Israeli officials quoted anonymously by the Times said that Iran would target three military air bases, and “an intelligence headquarters north of Tel Aviv” which it said has been evacuated.
While all-out war was averted in April, the Times cites diplomats and experts saying full-scale war is more likely now, “with Israel expected to strike back hard after any new Iranian attack.
Iran informed “international parties” of the size and timing of its anticipated attack on Israel, a US Defense Department official tells Sky News Arabia.
The US expressed concern earlier over Iran’s ballistic missiles, which can reach Israel in less than 15 minutes.
A US-based Axios reporter writes on X that Iran is expected to attack Israel with ballistic missiles that can reach targets within 12 minutes, and not with drones or cruise missiles that take longer.
The IDF Home Front Command issues new instructions to residents of the central area of Israel, known as Gush Dan, warning them to remain “nearby” a bomb shelter or other protected area until further notice, following reports of an imminent Iranian attack.
The update warns residents to “avoid spending unnecessary time outdoors,” and reiterates that if sirens sound, citizens should enter a protected area and remain there for 10 minutes.
Rocket alert sirens are sounding in dozens of towns across central Israel and the Sharon region as well as in the northern West Bank, including Kfar Saba, Kafr Kassem, Rosh Ha’ayin and Hod Hasharon.
Initial reports indicate two projectiles were fired from Lebanon. One fell into the sea, and the other was intercepted. There are no immediate reports of casualties.
Loud explosions are heard in several areas in and around Tel Aviv, without any sirens warning of a rocket attack.
The IDF says that one rocket crossed from Lebanon and fell in an “open area in the center of the country,” without elaborating.
Hebrew media reports suggest that the rocket fell in the sea near Bat Yam, without endangering any population centers and therefore not triggering sirens.
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