There is one story dominating global media today – online and in print – as last night Iran launched a missile attack on Israel. The attack was in response to Israel’s recent attacks on Lebanon.
Basic facts
- Iran launched missiles at Israel last night
- Around 180 missiles were fired from Iran – most intercepted by the US and Israel
- UN and EU call for ceasefire
What happened
The trending story in the UK today reports on the latest from the Middle East following Iran’s missile attack on Israel (in response to Israeli attacks on Lebanon and the killing of the Hezbollah leader) and Israel’s vow to respond. It has led to fears that an all-out war is on the horizon.
The attack was in response to Israel’s recent attacks on Lebanon, including planting explosive devices in communication devices such as walkie-talkies and pagers – a move that legal experts say could be a war crime.
The reaction
The newspaper front pages threat over a potential wider war emerging, using phrases such as ‘Middle East on the brink’ to describe the rapidly rising tensions. The editorials call for greater diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation.
Most of the papers frame the missiles launched by Iran as an attack on Israel, whilst a handful of more left-leaning newspapers highlight the attack as in response to Israel’s recent ground invasion of Lebanon, the killing of the Hezbollah leader and other recent attacks – which have injured and killed civilians.
Online, there are many arguments back on forth.
Related articles
- Middle East erupts as Israel vows to retaliate – Paper Talk
- Netanyahu vows response for missile attack saying Iran will “pay”
- US helps shoot down Iran missiles
- Israel starts ground operation in southern Lebanon
- Netanyahu sees popularity bounce back following attacks on Hezbollah – latest polls
- Breaking News: Israel to begin ground invasion of Lebanon
- More than 1 million displaced due to Israeli attacks – Lebanon PM
- World cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza
Trending on social media
What are users saying on Twitter/X?
Read the Tweets!
Keir Starmer magically finds the words to ‘utterly condemn’ Iran’s attacks yesterday while staying silent on Israel’s year-long genocidal assault on Palestinians, its invasion of Lebanon, and recent airstrikes in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen. pic.twitter.com/W6A1OOukE8
— Novara Media (@novaramedia) October 2, 2024
The White House Spokesperson says "Israel has the right to defend itself, as every nation does"
— Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) October 1, 2024
So why don't Lebanon and Iran have that right? pic.twitter.com/zqoB1xWdGf
Finally balance from the BBC:
— Howard Beckett (@BeckettUnite) October 2, 2024
•Israel 🇮🇱 have constantly crossed ‘red lines’
•Hezbollah & Iran 🇮🇷 have tried to ‘play it fairly rationally’
•The US 🇺🇸 has a ‘responsibility’ to control how Israel 🇮🇱 respond
Biden & Starmer should listen to this.pic.twitter.com/o2HVRa4U5p