Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to retaliate following Iran’s missile attack on Israel, which he declared had failed. Netanyahu described the attack as a “big mistake” by Iran and warned that the regime would “pay for it,” reaffirming Israel’s determination to defend itself and respond to its enemies.
Iran, on the other hand, claimed that its missile strike, which marked its largest military assault on Israel to date, was over, barring further provocations. The attack has heightened fears of a wider regional conflict, as both Israel and the United States have promised retaliation against Tehran.
Read More: Iran Launches Ballistic Missiles at Israel; Sirens Sound in Tel Aviv
Amid these tensions, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continued, despite calls for a ceasefire from the United Nations, the United States, and the European Union. On Wednesday, Israel renewed its airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, targeting what it identified as Hezbollah facilities. Large plumes of smoke were visible in the area, which had largely been evacuated after days of Israeli bombardment.
In Lebanon, Hezbollah claimed to have repelled Israeli forces that attempted to infiltrate the town of Adaisseh, forcing them to retreat.
The United States has issued a strong warning to Iran following its ballistic missile attack on Israel, calling it a significant escalation. President Joe Biden reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel, describing the Iranian strike as ineffective and signaling that discussions were underway about Israel’s response. U.S. military forces had assisted Israel’s air defenses in thwarting the attack. Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national security adviser, emphasized that there would be severe consequences for Iran’s actions, and the U.S. is working closely with Israel to determine the next steps.
