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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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Forgotten star: Pa Ojoge’s heartbreaking story of survival, neglect

Published

23 hours ago

November 13, 2025

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Veteran Yoruba actor Oluwasesan Adio popularly known as Pa Ojoge

Forgotten star: Pa Ojoge’s heartbreaking story of survival, neglect

Veteran Yoruba actor Oluwasesan Adio, popularly known as Pa Ojoge, has opened up about his financial struggles, revealing that he now survives on the goodwill of friends who occasionally give him as little as ₦5,000 or ₦10,000 to support his family.

In a candid interview, the actor said he depends entirely on others to make ends meet.

“I do not have money. I rely on other people to survive. I get money from people I have known for long. Sometimes people give me ₦5,000, others ₦10,000. That is how I take care of my children and wife,” he said.

Pa Ojoge accused the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) of neglecting older and struggling actors, claiming the association only celebrates wealthy members.

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“I lost my child before Peju Ogunmola lost hers, but TAMPAN did not post mine. They only posted Peju’s because I don’t have money. If you are broke, the industry will not recognize you,” he lamented.

He added that even a local TAMPAN chairman in Shomolu condemned the association’s selective recognition, describing it as unfair and insensitive.

“My chairman in Shomolu lambasted them that it was not supposed to be that way. The job only recognizes those that are rich, not those that are poor,” he said.

Pa Ojoge, who began his acting career in the 1970s, rose to fame for his comedic roles in Yoruba and English-language productions. He has featured in several movies and television series, including the popular sitcom Face2Face.

His revelation has reignited public concern over the welfare of veteran actors in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, many of whom have reportedly faced similar struggles after years of contributing to the growth of the sector.

Forgotten star: Pa Ojoge’s heartbreaking story of survival, neglect

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How Davido turned a 2011 school break into a global music journey

Published

1 day ago

November 13, 2025

Trends Admin

David Adedeji Adeleke, popularly known as Davido

How Davido turned a 2011 school break into a global music journey

Afrobeats superstar Davido has reflected on his early days in music as he continues his successful 5ive Alive Tour across Nigeria.

The Grammy-nominated artist took to social media to reminisce about his first performances in Ibadan back in 2011, revealing that he once skipped school just to chase his musical dreams.

“In 2011, I skipped school to perform in Ibadan. Asa, Peju, B Red and Sina picked me up from Babcock, and we drove to join the Lynxxx and Friends Tour. I had no idea it was going to air on Soundcity, and when my pops saw it, I got in so much trouble,” Davido shared on X (formerly Twitter).

Now, 14 years later, Davido has returned to Ibadan — this time as a global star — where he delivered a sold-out performance that electrified fans at the stadium.

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“Fourteen years later, we destroyed the stadium. The 5ive Alive run across Nigeria has been one for the books,” he wrote.

The 5ive Alive Tour, which has already made stops in several cities, continues to draw massive crowds and features collaborations with other top Nigerian artists.

Davido also used the opportunity to urge fellow entertainers to invest in Nigeria and give back to their communities.

“To my peers, let’s build back home and give back to our roots. Big love to all our sponsors for backing this historic tour,” he added.

The tour is expected to continue with upcoming shows in Abuja and Lagos, before Davido jets off to the United States for a special performance at State Farm Arena, Atlanta, on November 20, ahead of his birthday celebration on November 21.

With his energy-filled performances and message of homegrown investment, Davido continues to cement his place as one of Africa’s most influential artists.

How Davido turned a 2011 school break into a global music journey

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HURIWA backs Ned Nwoko’s call for Regina Daniels’ rehabilitation

Published

2 days ago

November 12, 2025

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Regina Daniels and Ned Nwoko

HURIWA backs Ned Nwoko’s call for Regina Daniels’ rehabilitation

Civil rights advocacy group, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has thrown its weight behind the recent public appeal by Senator Ned Nwoko urging his wife, popular actress Regina Daniels, to undergo rehabilitation to address alleged drug abuse and safeguard her health.

Senator Nwoko, who represents Delta North Senatorial District, said in an interview with journalists on Sunday that the decision was motivated by concerns for his wife’s well-being and her ability to raise their two young children.

According to the lawmaker, the move follows toxicology reports indicating “worrying levels of harmful substances” in the actress’s system. He added that Regina’s previously calm personality had “changed drastically in recent months,” with signs of violent behaviour and recurring health challenges.

Reacting to the development, HURIWA said it supports Nwoko’s stance, describing it as “an act of love and concern” aimed at helping the actress regain stability.

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In a statement signed by the group’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA urged Regina Daniels to “embrace the challenge” as an opportunity to “preserve and rebuild her life” for the sake of her children.

“We have had the privilege to review parts of the medical report and witness statements submitted to the police in Maitama, Abuja,” the group said.
“Professional rehabilitation centres offer the right environment, therapy, and detoxification support to help an individual recover fully—physically, mentally, and emotionally.”

The organization further emphasized the importance of rehabilitation as a holistic process involving medical treatment, nutrition, therapy, and spiritual renewal.

“Overuse of drugs can poison the system and affect several body functions. With appropriate rehabilitation that includes massage, yoga, and nutritional therapy, one can regain optimal health and happiness,” the statement added.

HURIWA concluded by encouraging the actress to seek help promptly, noting that professional recovery programs “work hand in hand with detox facilities” to ensure complete and safe rehabilitation.