The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that it has launched an attack on Israel with dozens of ballistic missiles. Following the attack, the Israel Defense Forces reported that sirens were sounding across the country, particularly in Tel Aviv. Israelis were urged to "heed the warnings and stay in safe places." STATEMENT FROM ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCESIn a statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), it was said, "A short time ago, missiles were launched from Iran towards the territory of the State of Israel. The Home Front Command has distributed life-saving instructions to various regions of the country. The public is asked to comply with the directives of the Home Front Command and should enter a protected area when an alarm sounds and remain there until further instructions. The IDF is doing and will do everything necessary to protect the citizens of the State of Israel," it stated. "WE WILL RESPOND AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME"Spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated, "We will defend Israeli citizens and will respond to Iranian missiles at the appropriate place and time." WARNING FROM IRAN TO ISRAEL: A MORE DESTRUCTIVE RESPONSE WILL COMEThe Iranian Permanent Mission to the UN stated that a response was given to Israel's national security violations, saying, "If the Zionist regime attempts to respond, a more destructive response will come." The Iranian Permanent Mission shared a message on social media regarding the issue. It was expressed that Iran has given a "legal, reasonable, and legitimate response to the terrorist activities of the Zionist regime," and it was noted that Israel targets Iranian citizens and violates the country's sovereignty. The message warned, "If the Zionist regime attempts to respond, a more destructive response will come," and called on regional countries and "supporters of the regime" to sever ties with Israel. ISRAELI PUBLIC ALLOWED TO EXIT SHELTERSIn a statement from the Israel Defense Forces, it was noted that after an assessment of the situation, "the public across the country has been allowed to exit shelters and protected areas." Israelis were asked to heed any new warnings. Additionally, another statement from the military reported that IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi conducted a situation assessment with senior commanders. US HAD WARNED OF AN ATTACK IN ADVANCEHours before the attack, a senior White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated to the US media that they had indications of Iran preparing for a ballistic missile attack on Israel. The official said, "We support active defense preparations to defend Israel against this attack. A direct military attack by Iran on Israel would have serious consequences for Iran." The US Central Command announced that additional forces would be sent to the Middle East in the early hours of the morning, and three American aircraft fleets, including F-15E, F-16, and A-10 fighter jets, had arrived in the Middle East, with another already in the region.
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