JERUSALEM (AP) — A deadly shooting attack occurred in Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening, leaving six people dead. Israeli police reported that two suspects opened fire on a boulevard in the Jaffa neighborhood in southern Tel Aviv before being killed by authorities. The incident occurred just before Iran launched a massive barrage of rockets towards Israel, prompting residents to seek shelter across the country.

In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran-backed militias Hezbollah and Hamas, Iran announced that it fired dozens of missiles into Israel on Tuesday. As air raid sirens blared and residents sought refuge in bomb shelters, a series of explosions were heard in Tel Aviv and near Jerusalem. Although it was unclear whether these sounds were from intercepted missiles or missile impacts, tensions continued to rise.

Israeli army spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari assured the public that the country’s air defense system was fully operational, successfully detecting and intercepting threats. With mounting concerns of a broader regional war, both Israel and the United States issued stern warnings against further attacks from Iran. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris closely monitored the situation from the White House Situation Room.

The gravity of the situation grew as Iran claimed responsibility for launching ballistic missiles at Israel, citing recent events involving key figures like Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. The attack was characterized as just the “first wave,” hinting at the potential for further aggression.

As tensions continued to escalate, Israel initiated limited ground operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, intensifying the conflict. Air strikes and artillery fire targeted southern Lebanese villages, prompting a retaliatory rocket barrage from Hezbollah into Israel. The violence heightened the risk of casualties as both sides engaged in intense fighting.