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Iran launches over 180 ballistic missiles on Israel

Published

1 year ago

October 2, 2024

Millions of Israelis rushed to shelters after being warned of the missile attack

Iran launches over 180 ballistic missiles on Israel

Israel says Iran has launched more than 180 missiles towards the country in a large-scale attack that has further heightened fears of an all-out regional war.

Millions of people rushed to shelters before explosions lit up the night skies above Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. A man was killed by falling missile debris in the city of Jericho in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian officials said.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran had made a “big mistake” and “will pay for it”.

Iranian state TV said Iran had fired 200 missiles towards Israel. These included hypersonic weapons, it said, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the strikes were in retaliation for the killings of the leaders of its allies Hezbollah and Hamas.

Within hours of the massive barrage on Tuesday evening local time, Israel’s military resumed air strikes against what it said were Hezbollah targets in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

US President Joe Biden said the Iranian missile attack appeared to have been “defeated and ineffective”. The US Department of Defense confirmed its forces had helped shoot down missiles in support of its Middle East ally.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the majority of missiles were “intercepted by Israel and a defensive coalition led by the United States”.

UN secretary general Antonio Guterres condemned what he called the “broadening conflict in the Middle East”, adding: “This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire.”

There was support for Israel from allies including Britain, France, Japan and Australia – with UK Defence Secretary John Healey issuing a statement saying the armed forces “had played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East”.

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The missile attack came hours after Israeli troops began an invasion of southern Lebanon to remove what the military said were “Hezbollah terror targets” in border villages that posed a threat to residents of northern Israel.

Israel has gone on the offensive against the Iran-backed Shia Islamist political and military organisation after almost a year of cross-border hostilities sparked by the war with Hamas in Gaza, saying it wants to ensure the safe return of residents of border areas displaced by Hezbollah rocket, drone and missile attacks.

Air raid sirens sounded all across Israel at around 19:30 local time (16:30 GMT) on Tuesday, as the IDF warned missiles had been launched from Iran.

Within a few minutes in Jerusalem, loud explosions were heard in Jerusalem as missiles flew overhead and were intercepted by Israeli air defence systems.

Videos shared on social media showed streams of light as the missiles flew over Israel, and clouds of smoke as they were intercepted or detonated on impact.

Just over an hour later, the IDF announced that people were allowed to leave their protected spaces because it did “not identify any additional aerial threats from Iran”.

Later, IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a statement that “there were a small number of hits in the centre of Israel, and other hits in Southern Israel”.

“The majority of the incoming missiles were intercepted by Israel and a defensive coalition led by the United States.”

He added: “Iran’s attack is a severe and dangerous escalation. There will be consequences.

“Our defensive and offensive capabilities are at the highest levels of readiness. Our operational plans are ready.

“We will respond wherever, whenever, and however we choose, in accordance with the directive of the government of Israel.”

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House that he did “not know of any damage to aircraft or strategic military assets in Israel”.

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“In short, based on what we know at this point, this attack appears to have been defeated and ineffective,” he added.

He also condemned the attack as “a significant escalation” and warned: “We have made clear that there will be consequences, severe consequences, for this attack, and we will work with Israel to make that the case.”

Speaking on Wednesday, Iran’s chief of staff Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri told state TV that it would hit infrastructure across Israel if it decides to strike back.

The barrage “will be repeated with bigger intensity and all infrastructure of the regime will be targeted”, Mr Bagheri said.

Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps said it had targeted unspecified “sensitive security and military” centres in retaliation for the “violation of Iran’s sovereignty and the martyrdom” of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed by an explosion in Tehran in July that Iranian officials blamed on Israel, but Israeli officials did not claim.

The statement described the missile barrage as having been “in line with the legitimate right of the nation to defend itself”.

It also said the attack was in response to the Israeli air strike in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Friday that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Brig-Gen Abbas Nilforoushan, the operations commander of the IRGC’s overseas arm, the Quds Force.

Later, Iranian state media claimed that missiles had hit the Nevatim, Hazterim and Tel Nof air bases, as well as Israeli tanks in Netzarim – a reference to an Israeli military corridor in central Gaza – and gas installations in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon.

The attack took place about an hour after a senior White House official told reporters that the US had indications that Iran was preparing to imminently launch missiles at Iran.

In April, Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel in retaliation for a deadly strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria that killed several top commanders.

Almost all of them were shot down by Israel, the US and other Western allies and their Arab partners, and an air base in southern Israel sustained only minor damage when it was hit.

Israel responded by launching a missile that hit an Iranian air base Western calls for restraint.

On Saturday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had promised that the death of his close ally Hassan Nasrallah would “not go unavenged”.

He gave no details, but said: “The fate of this region will be determined by the forces of resistance, with Hezbollah at the forefront.”

Iran has built a network of allied armed groups across the Middle East, which are all opposed to the US and Israel and sometimes refer to themselves as the “Axis of Resistance”. Besides Hezbollah, they include Hamas in the Palestinian territories, the Houthis in Yemen, and a number of Shia militias in Iraq and Syria.

Iran launches over 180 ballistic missiles on Israel

BBC

Related Topics:ballistic missiles Featured Iran Israel

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Madam Saje brokers peace in Akindele–Abraham feud

Published

1 hour ago

April 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Madam Saje brokers peace in Akindele–Abraham feud

Veteran Nollywood actress Fausat Balogun has intervened to settle a brewing rift involving leading actresses Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham and Iyabo Ojo, bringing a swift resolution to a controversy that had stirred conversations across the entertainment space.

The disagreement, which recently played out in the public eye, was triggered by an incident at a movie premiere hosted by Iyabo Ojo.

During the event, Akindele was perceived to have ignored a greeting from Abraham — a moment that quickly went viral and fuelled speculation of a deepening divide among some of Nollywood’s most influential figures.

The situation gained further traction after Iyabo Ojo weighed in, hinting that underlying tensions may have stemmed from earlier remarks by Abraham about feeling sidelined in the industry — comments believed to have conflicted with a prior understanding between her and Akindele.

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The development reignited discussions about rivalry, recognition and unspoken competition within the Yoruba film circle.

Such disputes are not entirely new in Nollywood, where collaborations, endorsements and box office rivalry often place top actors under intense public scrutiny.

Social media has also amplified minor misunderstandings, frequently turning them into major talking points that shape public perception of celebrities and their relationships.

Amid the growing buzz, Madam Saje stepped in, leveraging her status as a respected industry figure to de-escalate tensions.

In a video shared on Instagram, she confirmed that she had engaged all parties involved and successfully mediated peace among them.

“I have taken up the matter since yesterday. I’ve resolved it and ordered them to take it off social media. I made them realise that their matter should no longer be discussed on social media again,” she said.

Her intervention appears to have restored calm, reinforcing calls within the industry for unity and discretion, especially among high-profile actors whose influence extends beyond the screen.

Madam Saje brokers peace in Akindele–Abraham feud

Entertainment

Iyabo Ojo Quits Mediation Between Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham

Published

2 days ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

Toyin Abraham, Iyabo Ojo and Funke Akindele

Iyabo Ojo Quits Mediation Between Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Iyabo Ojo has announced that she will no longer act as a mediator in the ongoing dispute between fellow stars Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham, citing her inability to resolve the tensions despite her best efforts. She made the disclosure in a detailed post on her Instagram page on Tuesday, addressing criticisms of her involvement and clarifying her past efforts to reconcile the actresses.

Ojo explained that her friendship with Akindele spans several years and has had ups and downs. She admitted to previously publicly criticising Akindele over a movie issue, which she later regretted, but the two reconciled. She then took deliberate steps to broker peace between Akindele and Abraham, at times pleading with both to embrace harmony, which they reportedly did for a period.

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The actress noted that the reconciliation came with an agreement that any future disputes should be resolved privately and off social media. However, she said the arrangement fell apart last December after Abraham raised complaints about alleged sabotage affecting her movie, which sparked renewed tensions and fan speculation against Akindele.

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The situation escalated following the premiere of Ojo’s new film The Return of Arinzo at the Balmoral Event Centre in Lagos, where a viral video showed Abraham greeting colleagues while Akindele appeared to ignore her. The incident sparked widespread debate on social media, with fans questioning whether past differences had resurfaced. Ojo also clarified that Abraham had originally been cast in her film but withdrew due to exhaustion and travel commitments, causing last-minute script changes.

Despite her repeated attempts, Ojo said she can no longer intervene in the feud. “Honestly, all this saddened me because the sky is big enough for all. I have tried my best, but at this point, I can’t beg anyone anymore. I honestly don’t want to get involved anymore,” she wrote. She urged fans to respect her decision, emphasising that when both parties are ready, they will reconcile on their own terms.

Ojo also promoted her film, confirming that The Return of Arinzo is set to premiere nationwide in cinemas from April 3. The renewed public attention on Akindele and Abraham’s relationship highlights the growing interest in Nollywood celebrity dynamics and the challenges of managing personal conflicts in the public eye.

Iyabo Ojo Quits Mediation Between Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham

Entertainment

Céline Dion Announces Stage Comeback After Four-Year Health Battle

Published

2 days ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

Global music icon Céline Dion

Céline Dion Announces Stage Comeback After Four-Year Health Battle

Global music icon Céline Dion has officially announced her return to singing and live performances, four years after stepping away from the stage due to a rare neurological condition.

In a heartfelt video shared on her Instagram page on Monday to mark her 58th birthday, the Grammy-winning singer told fans she is recovering steadily and ready to reconnect with audiences.

“I want to let you know that I’m doing great, managing my health, I’m feeling good, I’m singing again, even doing a little bit of dancing,” she said, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support she received during her health struggles.

She also confirmed a major comeback project titled ‘Celine Dion Paris 2026’, a 10-show concert residency scheduled to begin in September in Paris, with presale tickets opening on April 7. The shows are expected to take place at the Paris La Défense Arena, marking her first full-scale return to the stage since 2022.

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Dion’s return follows her diagnosis with Stiff-Person Syndrome, a rare and chronic neurological disorder she publicly disclosed in December 2022. The condition causes severe muscle stiffness, spasms, and mobility challenges, significantly affecting her ability to perform.

At the time, she was forced to cancel her “Courage World Tour”, including multiple shows across Europe, after revealing that the illness had impacted her ability to walk and sing.

In a 2024 interview with NBC News, Dion described the condition as extremely painful, likening it to “someone’s strangling you,” highlighting how it affected her vocal cords and breathing.

Her health journey was further documented in the 2024 film I Am: Céline Dion, where she openly shared emotional moments and the physical toll of the illness. In the trailer, she emphasized her determination to return to performing, saying, “If I can’t run, I’ll walk. If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl. I won’t stop.”

Despite the challenges, Dion has gradually returned to public life, including a widely praised appearance at the 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, which reignited speculation about her comeback.

Her upcoming Paris residency is being seen as a major milestone, not only in her career but also in her recovery. Industry watchers say the carefully structured performance schedule reflects efforts to balance her health with the physical demands of live shows.

Widely regarded as one of the best-selling artists of all time, Dion has sold over 200 million records worldwide. Her iconic hit My Heart Will Go On—the theme from the blockbuster film Titanic—remains one of the most streamed songs globally, with hundreds of millions of plays across platforms like Spotify.

Fans around the world have welcomed the announcement as one of the most anticipated comebacks in recent music history, with expectations already building for sold-out shows and a possible global tour if her recovery continues positively.