Updated 4:00 pm EDT.

In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Iran late on Tuesday fired at least 180 long-range ballistic missiles directly at Israel from its territory in retaliation for Israel’s operations in Lebanon targeting the terrorist organization Hezbollah. 

An Israel Defense Forces spokesman tells the Times of Israel that the country’s air defense system intercepted a “large number” of the missiles aimed at Israel. However, he cautioned, “The defense is not hermetic,” and there were reports of isolated impacts in central and southern Israel.

American forces in the region were reported to have assisted in the operation, both in tracking the incoming missiles and intercepting them.

Videos circulating on social media showed images of at least a handful of the missiles reaching the ground, though there was no immediately official word on casualties on the ground. Unofficial reports cited the death of one Palestinian citizen in the West Bank city of Jericho, but no reports of Israeli casualties.

While Iranian media shared videos of missile launches, Tehran did not immediately address the attack. State television reports cited Iranian Revolutionary Guards officials as saying Iran used hypersonic ‘Fatah’ missiles for the first time in the attacks.

On the official Twitter account of Iran’s mission to the United Nations at New York City, officials suggested that states in the region and the “Zionists’ supporters are advised to part ways with the regime.”

“Iran’s legal, rational, and legitimate response to the terrorist acts of the Zionist regime — which involved targeting Iranian nationals and interests and infringing upon the national sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran — has been duly carried out,” the statement said. “Should the Zionist regime dare to respond or commit further acts of malevolence, a subsequent and crushing response will ensue.”

The missile launches come less than a day after Israel said it was carrying out “limited, localized, and targeted raids” against Hezbollah and days after it killed the Iranian-backed group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Iran has insisted the strike that killed Nasrallah will “not go unanswered.”

American officials warned Iran that there would be “severe consequences” if it carried out a ballistic missile strike on Israel. Ahead of the missile launch, American ships and aircraft were deployed in the region to help Israel respond to the Iranian attack.

Senator Graham was quick to call for an American response to the Iranian bombings on Tuesday. “The Ayatollah and Iranian regime are religious Nazis who want to destroy the state of Israel — their words, not mine. They want to purify Islam and attack the United States — again, they’re words, not mine,” the senator wrote on X shortly after the missiles began landing at Tel Aviv. He described the bombing as a “breaking point.”

“I would urge the Biden Administration to coordinate an overwhelming response with Israel, starting with Iran’s ability to refine oil,” Mr. Graham added.

In April, Iran launched a barrage of more than 300 missiles and drones toward the Jewish state. However, the Israeli military said 99 percent of them were intercepted by its air defense systems and a coalition led by America and several other allies, including Arab states.

Immediately before the missiles began landing, Israel security forces reported “multiple casualties” in a mass shooting and apparent terror attack at Jaffa on Tuesday, according to initial reports. 

Israel’s national Emergency Medical Services, Magen David Adom, said an emergency report was made on Tuesday “in the Dan Region of a number of shooting victims in Jaffa.” The MDA said that medics are “treating seven casualties in varying conditions. Two unconscious in critical condition, Two in serious condition, two moderate, and one mild.”

An earlier statement, citing initial reports, said that “EMTs and Paramedics are treating multiple casualties in varying conditions including unconscious casualties.” The shooting appears to be at a train station according to video footage of the gunshots circulating on social media.

The Times of Israel reports that eight civilians were killed in the attacks and several others wounded. Both the terrorists were killed, officials said.