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Israel-Gaza-Lebanon updates: Israel response to Iran will 'come fast,' official says

Israel said damage from Iran's missile barrage was minimal.

ByNadine El-Bawab, Emily Shapiro, David Brennan, Julia Reinstein, and Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: October 2, 2024, 2:52 PM EDT

Iran launched the largest missile attack on Israel to date on Tuesday, with hundreds of missiles fired into the country, according to Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations.

Iran said the unprecedented attack was retaliation for a wave of assassinations carried out by Israel over the last several weeks targeting Hezbollah, including leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Sirens sounded across Israel and some citizens were urged to seek shelter in protected areas. Most of the missiles were intercepted, but "several hits were identified, and the damage is being assessed," an Israeli security official said.

The U.S. fired missiles to help Israel defend itself against the missile attack, according to the Pentagon's Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
11:51 AM EDT

IDF confirms 8 soldiers killed in southern Lebanon

Eight Israeli troops were killed during fighting in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces said.

Hezbollah said their fighters surprised a group of Israeli soldiers near the town of Yaroun in southern Lebanon and detonated a "special explosive device."

Several other Israeli soldiers were injured, the IDF said earlier.

"All of the fighters went to the hospitals for medical treatment, their families were informed," the IDF said.

10:52 AM EDT

Israel response to Iran missile attack will 'come fast,' official says

An Israeli official told ABC News on Wednesday that "Israel's response to Iran's attack will be significant and come fast."

People stand on top of the remains of an Iranian missile in the Negev desert near Arad, Oct. 2, 2024, in the aftermath of an Iranian missile attack on Israel.
Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images

Iran launched a large barrage of cruise missiles -- either 220, according to a U.S. official, or 180, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- on Tuesday evening.

"This evening, Iran made a big mistake -- and it will pay for it," Netanyahu said shortly after the attack.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller

6:23 AM EDT

Iranian leader blames US, Europe for Middle East turmoil

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday morning that "the basis of the region's problems is the presence of the United States and some European countries who falsely claim peace and tranquility."

Iran launched 220 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday night, according to a U.S. official. The attack was in protest of Israel's recent operations against the Tehran-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon, including the assassination of its leader Hassan Nasrallah on Sept. 27.

This handout picture provided by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei shows him during a gathering in Tehran on Oct. 2, 2024.
-/KHAMENEI.IR/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran fired 180 missiles in its second direct attack on Israel since Oct. 7. "This evening, Iran made a big mistake -- and it will pay for it," Netanyahu said Tuesday.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed that 90% of the missiles launched hit their targets.

-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian and Hami Hamedi

5:34 AM EDT

Israel deploys more troops into Lebanon with air, artillery support

The Israel Defense Forces announced Wednesday that more troops "are joining the limited, localized, targeted raids on Hezbollah terror targets and terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon that began on Monday."

An Israeli Apache helicopter releases flares near the Israeli-Lebanon border, as seen from northern Israel, on Oct. 2, 2024.
Baz Ratner/AP

The IDF said its 36th Division -- including soldiers of the Golani Brigade, 188th Armored Brigade, 6th Infantry Brigade and additional forces -- would join the ground incursion.

The units will be accompanied by air and artillery units, the IDF added.

-ABC News' Joe Simonetti and Jordana Miller

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