A basketball match between two Israeli women's teams was evacuated after Iranian missiles struck the country on Tuesday.
Iran launched a barrage of dozens of missiles against Israel in retaliation for the deaths of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders.
According to the Jerusalem Post, Hapoel Lev Jerusalem was playing against Hapoel Kfar Saba in the 2024-25 preseason winners' tournament at Malha Arena in Jerusalem when the attack began. The explosion started in the second quarter, with Hapoel Lev scoring 20 points. Sirens then sounded, and players and coaches evacuated to a nearby air raid shelter. No casualties were reported for either team.
“The situation and the reality that we are in is crazy,” said veteran Hapoel Lev player Sil Tiros. “It's crazy that we're still in this reality a year later, and it's hard to start a new season like this. And it's so sad. There are sirens in Jerusalem, sirens in Tel Aviv, sirens all over the country. It's ringing. It's just something that happened.''It's a crazy reality, but I think the reason I'm staying calm is because I'm helping the foreigners on the team stay calm. They're definitely more nervous than us, so I'm here to help them and try to stay positive for the game. This is the situation we are all in. ”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Tracers from weapons are fired into the air to commemorate Iran's missile barrage against Israel over Beirut, Lebanon, October 1, 2024. (Reuters/Luisa Gouriamaki)
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) warns citizens to shelter in place and follow instructions from Home Front forces as the Jewish state's Iron Dome anti-missile defense system works to intercept incoming rockets. did.
Tiroš added that she and her teammates have become accustomed to preparing for attacks from foreign threats dating back to October 2023.
“For the most part, the import players here are calm and understand what's going on,” she said. “When they arrived, they told us that they were not really afraid of coming to Israel, despite the situation the country was in.
“We have talked to them many times about what is going on. After October 7 last year, we were not very prepared on how to deal with the situation, so foreign We had to act on our instincts. Now we're ready to deal with that aspect. We're always explaining to them what's going on.”
According to Fox news agency, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the latest missile barrage was in response to an Israeli airstrike late last week that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut, Lebanon, and Hamas' attack in Tehran in July. He said the attack was in retaliation for the killing of leader Ismail Haniyeh. News Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst.
Live updates: Israel orders Lebanon to evacuate as limited ground operation against Hezbollah continues
Israel's Iron Dome missile interception system intercepts a rocket as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, October 1, 2024. (Reuters/Amir Cohen)
Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned in a statement published by Iranian state media that Israel “will face a devastating attack” if it responds to the missile attack.
At least six Israelis have already been reported dead in a shooting incident in Tel Aviv on Tuesday.
Tirosh's teammate Zoe Waddu said the fear of playing in Jerusalem has taken a toll on her and her family, but she wants her family to know they are safe.
“I made the decision in the summer, and at that point the war wasn't that bad. And then here we are, and it's gotten even worse. Obviously, my family and my friends and everyone who loves me… It's a tough situation for them.''I tried to call them every day to let them know I was here and to let them know I was okay, but when something like this happens, of course I get worried.'' Masu. , I'm going to do everything I can to be safe and let them know that I'm safe. ”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Residents of Jerusalem evacuate during Iranian missile barrage on October 1, 2024. (Credit: Yoav Dudkevitch/TPS-IL)
Jewish American leaders responded Tuesday afternoon to Iran's unprecedented missile attack on Israel, saying the Islamist regime will pay a price.
“The United States will protect Israel from evil and stand with Israel, our only democratic ally in the Middle East,” Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, said in a statement. “Iran and its proxies must stop threatening the world.”
“Israel's efforts to dismantle Hezbollah are making the world a safer place,” Miller said in a Sept. 30 statement.
Follow sports coverage on Fox News Digital's X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
