Benjamin Netanyahu says Iran made a ‘big mistake’ and ‘will pay’ after firing 180 ballistic missile at Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken out after Iran fired 180 ballistic missiles at Israel, saying the country has “made a big mistake tonight, and will pay for it”, with attacks now expected within hours.

Speaking at the opening of a cabinet meeting, Mr Netanyahu said Iran “does not understand” Israel’s “determination to retaliate” against its enemies.

“They will understand,” he says.

“We will stand by the rule we established: whoever attacks us - we will attack him.”

Local media has reported that retaliation will occur overnight, meaning it could happen within hours.

Israel is reportedly planning for attacks across the Middle East, including Lebanon and Iran.

Chaos in the Middle East has broken out as Iran fired a barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israel’s campaign against Tehran’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon.

The attack comes a day after Israel commenced a “target” ground invasion of Lebanon, vowing to dismantle Hezbollah and its ability to attack Israel and its citizens.

Alarms sounded across Israel and explosions could be heard in Jerusalem and the Jordan River valley on Tuesday after Israelis piled into bomb shelters. Reporters on state television lay flat on the ground during live broadcasts.

Israeli army radio said nearly 200 missiles had been launched into Israel from Iran. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said Iran had launched tens of missiles at Israel, and that if Israel retaliated Tehran’s response would be “more crushing and ruinous”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned the Iranian attack on Israel.

“This is an extremely dangerous escalation - Australia and the global community have been clear in our calls for de-escalation. Further hostilities put civilians at risk.”

Mr Albanese again, urged Australians in Israel to “follow the advice of local authorities”

The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) has issued new evacuation orders for two areas in southern Beirut.

The IDF’s Arabic spokesperson Adichay Adraee issued the “urgent warning” for residents in Lebanon on X.

“You are located near dangerous Hezbollah installations that the IDF will act forcefully against in the near future,” he wrote.

“For your safety and the safety of your family, we ask you to evacuate these buildings immediately and stay at least 500 meters away from them.

The warning included images of homes in the Haret Hreik area.

A similar warning was issued by Mr Adraee on Tuesday, with the IDF carrying out air strikes within an hour.

Israel commenced a targeted “ground incursion” of Lebanon on Tuesday.

Lebanese officials claim 55 people have been killed and 156 have been seriously wounded.

- With Reuters