Iran launched a major missile attack on Israel Tuesday night, firing over 100 missiles and sending millions of Israelis into bomb shelters across the country.

The missile barrage, aimed at central and southern Israel, marked Tehran’s first direct attack on Israel since April, according to the Israeli military.

Sirens blared across the nation as Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) responded to the attack, which included a reported 102 ballistic missiles.

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These missiles, capable of reaching Israel in about 12 minutes, pose a significant challenge to defense systems due to their speed and altitude, making them more difficult to intercept.

In response, the United States has moved additional military assets to the region, including F-15E and F-16 fighter jets, along with A-10 attack aircraft.

U.S. Central Command confirmed that at least one aircraft squadron had arrived in the area by Tuesday morning, with more reinforcements expected later in the day.

“We are actively supporting defensive preparations to defend Israel against this attack,” a U.S. official stated, warning that a direct military strike from Iran would carry “severe consequences” for Tehran.

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The attack follows a similar incident in April when Iran launched more than 330 drones and missiles at Israel, the majority of which were intercepted with the help of the U.S. and Jordan.

This time, the use of ballistic missiles could give U.S. and allied forces less time to intercept incoming attacks, a concern expressed by U.S. officials.

The Israel Defense Forces issued a warning that the scale of the attack could be widespread, urging Israeli citizens to follow safety protocols.

The IDF and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed residents to adhere to the “Home Front Command,” a directive requiring civilians in central Israel and Jerusalem to stay within 90 seconds of a protective shelter. The directive will remain in effect until October 5.

Netanyahu addressed the nation, calling for unity during this time of crisis. “What I ask of you is two things. One, to strictly obey the directives of the Home Front Command. It saves lives. And second, to stand together. We will stand firm together in the trying days ahead. Together we will stand, together we will fight, and together we will win,” Netanyahu said in a statement.

In addition to the missile attacks, the IDF has been conducting operations in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah’s missile launching facilities and weapons caches.

The Israeli military described these actions as “localized ground raids,” aiming to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure near the Israeli border.

“We’re not going to Beirut,” IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said. “We’re only going to areas next to our border and will do what is necessary to dismantle and demolish Hezbollah infrastructure.”

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem issued a security alert, advising Americans in Israel to shelter in place until further notice.

The embassy warned that it may further restrict or prohibit U.S. government employees and their families from traveling to certain areas of Israel, including Jerusalem and the West Bank.

“The security environment remains complex and can change quickly depending on the political situation and recent events,” the embassy said in a statement, reminding U.S. citizens of the need for heightened caution due to the ongoing conflict.

As tensions escalate, the IDF continues its operations while closely monitoring the situation.

Nearly two dozen border communities in Lebanon were evacuated by Tuesday as the IDF engaged Hezbollah positions, though no independent verification of these missions has yet been confirmed.