Explosions heard over Jerusalem after Israeli army detects launches from Iran

JERUSALEM / ISTANBUL

Explosions were heard Thursday in the skies over Jerusalem after the Israeli military said it detected missile launches from Iran toward central Israel.

In a statement, the military said it identified missiles fired from Iran toward the country.

Air raid sirens sounded in Jerusalem following the launches, an Anadolu correspondent reported.

Explosions were later heard in the city’s skies as Israeli air defenses intercepted incoming missiles, the correspondent also reported.

The Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported that rocket and missile alert sirens were also activated in Gush Dan, the Lowlands, Sharon, the Jordan Valley, Lachish, and Judea and Samaria following the launches from Iran.

Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported that Tehran launched another barrage of missiles toward Israel.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The developments come amid US and Israeli attacks on Iran launched Feb. 28 that have killed about 1,300 people, including several top officials.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Iraq and Gulf countries that host US military assets.