TEL AVIV IN SMOKES IN EARLY MORNING | AFP
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Explosions have been ringing out across Tehran after Israel launched an attack on Iran, targeting its nuclear facilities and killing three top generals. In response, Iran has launched 100 drones towards Israel as tensions escalate across the region. These are some of the scenes in Israel as the city wakes on Friday morning and residents brace for retaliation from Iran.
Many of Tel Aviv’s streets and beaches have been deserted, while shoppers hurried to get supplies in Jerusalem.
Israel’s defence minister threatens further attacks against Iran after Tel Aviv tumbles
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military would “continue its activities to thwart the Iranian nuclear program and remove threats on the State of Israel”.
“The precise hit on the heads of the commanders of the Revolutionary Guards, the Iranian army and the nuclear scientists, who were all involved in promoting the plan to destroy Israel, is a strong and clear message — those who work to destroy Israel will be eliminated.”
The Israeli military said a short time ago it had completed a widespread attack on Iranian Air Defences. It said the strike had destroyed dozens of radar installations and surface-to-air missile launchers.
Several major international airlines, including Emirates, Etihad, Qatar, Air India and Lufthansa, have cancelled, delayed or redirected flights after Israel’s Friday morning attack on Iran.
The United Arab Emirates national carrier Etihad cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv, while Emirates cancelled flights to and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Iran. Qatar Airways temporarily suspended flights to Iran and Iraq.Air India said several flights had been diverted or sent back, and Lufthansa has suspended flights to Iran.
Syria’s flag carrier Syrian Airlines announced in a statement on Friday it has suspended its flights to the UAE and Saudi Arabia after Iraqi and Jordanian airspace was closed. “This was already a complex trip, the most powerful democracies gathering at a time of great uncertainty about trade and tariffs, and great worry about the war in Ukraine,” Croucher said.
“For Anthony Albanese, there’s also a first face-to-face with Donald Trump as America reviews our exports and the AUKUS nuclear pact. “Now the world’s eyes shift to the Middle East – and the leaders that will be around the table at the G7 try and work out a response to a rapidly changing situation in the most volatile part of the world.”
Travel advice for Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip has been updated in the wake of today’s escalation. Travellers have been warned not to travel to the region due to the threat of attacks against Israel. “Due to the deteriorating security situation, we’ve raised our level of advice and now advise, do not travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories due to the volatile security situation, armed conflict, civil unrest and terrorism,” the update says.
“Israel has declared a national state of emergency.
“There’s an ongoing threat of missile and rocket attacks in Israel. In an attack or other armed conflict, you should take shelter, follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media and public safety information.” The risk of terror attacks in the region also brings risk of airspace closures and flight cancellations, they warned.
“This is a different event to what we’ve experienced thus far, and we’re expecting difficult hours. We should show resilience and patience.”
Correspondent:
Jorge Branco
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