At around 19:30 local time, phones across Israel buzzed with an urgent alert: “You must enter a protected area immediately and remain there until further notice.”

This message, sent by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Home Front Command, warned of imminent danger, referring to the instructions as “life-saving.”

Missiles had been launched toward Israel from Iran, and sirens blared across the country. Millions heard the alarms and quickly sought refuge in shelters and safe rooms. At the BBC’s Jerusalem Bureau, staff moved to a secure, windowless area as the sounds of missiles being intercepted by Israel’s defense system echoed around them.

Videos circulating on social media showed streaks of light in the sky as the defense system intercepted the missiles, followed by clouds of smoke from the explosions. One witness in southern Israel captured the scene, exclaiming, “There’s loads of them,” as circles of light filled the night sky.

Around 20:00, the IDF confirmed that its aerial defense system was successfully intercepting the missiles and advised citizens to stay in protected spaces. “The explosions you are hearing are from interceptions and fallen projectiles,” they said.

Tensions had been building as earlier reports indicated that Iran was preparing to strike. The attack followed an Israeli military operation in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards later confirmed the missile strikes were in retaliation for the deaths of key figures from Hezbollah, Hamas, and a senior Iranian commander.