Iran Missile Attack On Israel “Appears To Have Been Defeated,” White House Says

UPDATE: Networks captured the harrowing scenes of explosions in the skies over Tel Aviv today, as Iran launched a missile attack on Israel.

Major news networks quickly switched to reporters in the region for ongoing coverage, while broadcast networks interrupted regular daytime programming for special reports.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that nearly 200 missiles were fired.

“This attack appears to have been defeated and ineffective,” he told reporters.

He said, “Obviously, this is a significant escalation by Iran, a significant event, and it is equally significant that we were able to step up with Israel and create a situation in which no one was killed in this attack on Israel.”

Sullivan said that they do not know of any deaths in Israel, but they were tracking the reported death of a Palestinian in Jericho in the West Bank.

“We do not know of any damage to aircraft or strategic military assets in Israel,” he said.

“We are proud of the actions we have taken alongside Israel to protect and defend Israel,” Sullivan said. “We have made clear that there will be consequences, severe consequences, for this attack, and we will work with Israel to make that the case.”

The attacks were retaliatory strikes following Israel’s killing of the leader of Hezbollah, the proxy terrorist organization, and other leaders, in strikes in Lebanon. That was been followed by a limited invasion in the southern region of the country.

“There’s fear that this could develop into a wider conflict, and it is kind of happening,” ABC News‘ Ian Pannell reported, saying that the next development will be in how Israel responds.

On Fox News, Trey Yingst was in Haifa, reporting on the ballistic missile attack, as Harris Faulkner said, “I need to know you’re in a safe location and that you can move away when necessary.” She then noted that they could see several objects exploding near where he was. “Watch your back. If you need to step back, we’ll move on here and come back to you.”

Yingst then said, “Yep. We’re with you,” before saying he would give instructions to his crew.

On CNN, Jim Scuitto, like other correspondents wearing a helmet and other protective gear, said that in the 20 years coming to Tel Aviv, he had never seen an attack like the one today, saying that Iran’s intent seemed to be to “overwhelm” Israel’s missile defense system.

Earlier, Scuitto was on the rooftop, speaking to anchor Dana Bash, when he said that he and his crew had to get off the rooftop. “OK guys, we have to get off the roof. These are coming down right next to us here. We got to go inside,” he said.

“Jim, please take cover,” Bash said.

CNN also reported missiles over Haifa and Jerusalem.

A White House official said that President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris were monitoring the Iranian attack from the White House Situation Room and receiving regular updates from their national security team. “President Biden directed the U.S. military to aid Israel’s defense against Iranian attacks and shoot down missiles that are targeting Israel,” the official.

The Israeli missile strikes on Lebanon may have displaced more than one million people, the country’s prime minister, Najib Mikati, said earlier this week, per NBC News. More than 1,000 people were killed in the strikes, local officials said.

Dominic Patten contributed to this report.