From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
IDF spokesman says Israel ‘will respond wherever, whenever and however we choose’ to Iran
In an English-language statement, IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari says that Israel will choose how and when to respond to tonight’s Iranian attack.
Hagari says that there were a “small number of hits in the center of Israel, and other hits in southern Israel” from the 180 ballistic missiles fired at Israel. “The majority of the incoming missiles were intercepted by Israel and a defensive coalition led by the United States.”
He says the attack is a “severe and dangerous escalation. There will be consequences. Our defensive and offensive capabilities are at the highest levels of readiness. Our operational plans are ready. We will respond wherever, whenever, and however we choose, in accordance with the directive of the government of Israel.”
A military spokesman tells AFP that the attack aimed to “kill thousands” of Israeli civilians and was “unprecedented.”
“The intention to kill civilians is unprecedented. The goal of Iran was to kill thousands of civilians,” the spokesman says.
