Iran fires missiles at Israel; Residents were told to stay close to bomb shelters

Israel’s military said on Tuesday that Iran had fired missiles at Israel, and air raid sirens sounded across the country as residents were ordered to stay close to bomb shelters.

Israel and America have warned that there will be serious consequences if Iran attacks.

Orders to seek refuge were sent to Israelis’ mobile phones and announced on National television. TV stations reported sirens in Jerusalem and parts of central Israel.

The warnings came after a day of rocket and missile attacks from Lebanon, and Israel said it had launched limited ground operations in southern Lebanon.

Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire hit southern Lebanese villages, where people were ordered to evacuate, and Hezbollah militants responded by raining rockets into Israel. There was no immediate word on casualties as fighting intensified and fears of a wider regional war grew.

A senior White House official warned there would be “severe consequences” if Iran fired a ballistic missile at Israel. US ships and aircraft are in the region to help Israel in the event of an attack from Iran. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the intelligence.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari also warned that there would be consequences if Iran fired missiles at Israel.

He asked people to stay close to the evacuation areas. “An Iran strike could be widespread. Following Home Front Command guidelines could save lives,” he said.